kylo4

pandafresh

Evil Tortie's Mom

There is absolutely no problem getting heartrate up with the game, although if you go for the harder songs it tends to come in short bursts - you play a song which lasts a bit under two minutes, get completely wiped out so that you're barely able to breathe, then take a minute to recover before you play another. It's probably better for regular exercise if you play on a level you can more easily cope with but set it to continuous mode.

quen

DiminishCap

NewSc2

Sparky13

randlsa

Tri5cui7

I happen to be a PhD student at the Mayo clinic, and I know the group that conducts these studies. They have been doing a Wii study for some time now. The problem is that to make an official publication out of such things it takes time. Gathering the data, writing up the paper, and then taking it through peer review are all part of the process. Then getting it accepted to be published in a major journal takes time as well.

The reason why these studies are done with so few people is that statistical power calculation do show that it is enough, but more over there is a large IRB ( group that approves human studies) approval process that requires certain conditions be met when dealing with humans. They are especially harsh with their conditions when it comes to humans. Also, the study would take far too long if there were more people involved as each trial takes one day ( or 2) per person. The more people you have the more data you have to analyze as well. Either that or you limit the amount of data from each person.

I would have to say I agree with Saleen when he says that a healthy life style is the key. Prevention and responsibility coupled with moderation.

uthgar

to be honest, before this study i was kind of interested in getting one of those home DDR mats just so i could actually make it entertaining for me to burn a few calories. this study just reinstates that desire. i need to find out how much these things go for.

i could probably go with the treadmill thing though. a while back i actually had my ps2 hooked up to a tv in front of the treadmill and played something easy (control-wise) while walking for a couple of miles. DDR might be more entertaining though (and useful, seeing how i dance like a retarded weasel).

Jesterhead369

AsWater

Then a friend bought the home version and I was like, "YES! I can now just like an ass at home with a friend. We'll get good and finally be able to show ourselves in public!"

Stupid home mats ruined that route.

AsWater

baked ham

budash2

Smidget

Only 30? I think I've burned up to 49 on one song before. Possibly Afronova? Possibly Sakura. I can't remember.

If the calorie-counter is at all accurate on the game, I was burning over 1000 calories a day playing DDR at one point.

SageofAnacostia

I can run on a treadmill a lot longer than I can continuously dance in DDR though...

Saxboy

+ Watch video

Smidget

ShawnC++

get an ignition pad they are a little pricey but well worth it. They last longer and are not slippery, 3 years ago I lost 40 pounds by just playing DDR and eating right.

Carbs2k

sethmad

Jagzthebest

GMC

Oh wait.....I did that already and still enjoy my video games. Put down the chips and eat an apple. Don't eat the pizza eat a chicken breast. You know, do healthy stuff. Actually care about your health by doing the simple things that are required to keep you from turning into man/woman jelly. Not every dude out there is going to be a piece of man-meat (on sale at Costco for $12.99 a pound ladies) but being fit is something that everyone can do via small changes in their diet and lifestyle. But that would be too damn hard, especially for the parents who are supposed to be in control of their children.

The thing I dont understand is that people try to directly correlate the obesity problem with video games, when the correlation is lack of physical activity and bad diet. What do you expect to happen when you shove fast food into a kid (1000-1500 calories in a Happy Meal) and then have them sit in front of a video game system? A lot of us are super sizing gluttony and sloth and then wondering why we can't see our toes in the morning. We only have ourselves to blame for this because each and everyone of us is able to stand up and get out for even a 20 minute walk every day. Instead we want to buy a Wii sports and Wii Fit and try to convince ourselves that it is healthy and is going to undue the Ultimate Bacon Cheeseburger we just had two of along with an Oreo shake and a large order of fries.

Parents need to do their job which is to be responsible for their children. So the answer isn't buying the kids DDR and Wii games and hoping that will do for exercise. RESPONSIBILITY! Something I think some of us forgot somewhere along the way.

Saleen

Blackjack1353

GMC

DaiMacculate

I was quite suprised to find that walking ona treadmill only increases amount of energy burnt by three times, compared to sitting still. Can I not just sit still for three times longer...? God knows that would be great for some RPGs.

Krondonian

Lucky you! I happen to near an arcade where the local 'pros' always seem to hover around. Doesn't help that the DDR machine must be shoved RIGHT TO THE ENTRANCE of the arcade, and it's an open-air entrance to boot >_<

Byakko

i was pretty much a newb the first time i tried DDR and it was at the arcades. no one ridiculed because i asked for help. some were very eager to help (mostly females). embarrassing situation averted.

dafthero

crider

*badumtiss*

dafthero

NocturnOwl357

Setzer IIDX

Anyway the only problem is that there's no way newbies or obese children would dare to play DDR in public. I can say, from personal experience, that there's just no point in attempting the DDR machine with all those pro-fanatics around >_< You'll either ridiculed, or just contemptuously looked at the entire time you try to play.

And the DDR mats for consoles are just too darn slippery!

Byakko

BryanGuitarDude

thegreatpablo