Exercise study questions fitness benefits of 'Wii Fit'

(USA TODAY) -- The intensity of an exercise program on Nintendo's highly popular fitness title Wii Fit amounts to a "very, very mild workout," says a study from the American Council on Exercise.

"I guess anything is better than nothing, but we were a little bit underwhelmed with the exercise intensity of some of the exercises," says John Porcari, lead researcher at the University of Wisconsin Lacrosse Exercise and Health Program, in a statement.

The study recruited 16 male and female volunteers between the ages of 20 to 24 to test how effective Wii Fit is at delivering a vigorous workout. 

After each volunteer's fitness baseline was set, the group participated in six of the game's most challenging aerobic activities: Free Run, Island Run, Free Step, Advanced Step, Super Hula Hoop and Rhythm Boxing.

Researchers found the energy expended from Wii Fit exercises fell below physical activity guidelines set by the American College of Sports Medicine. The exercises also resulted in fewer calories burned compared to performing the actual activity.

"Step aerobics is a very good workout, but you typically step up onto a 6-inch high bench," says Porcari. "In Wii Fit, you step up onto the 1- or 1.5-inch balance pad so you're burning far fewer calories than you would in an actual step aerobics class."

While researchers admit Wii Fit is better than sitting on the couch, the fitness game should be used along with other physical activity. Porcari also suggests Wii Sports might be the better exercise title for Wii owners.

"In Wii Sports, there's more jumping around, and you're not constrained by having to stand on the balance pad," Porcari says. "I just think there's much more freedom of movement and you get a better workout."

(Originally posted by USA Today)