Study Says Wii Does Not Replace Exercise

Good news for gyms, a recent study from the UK has shown that the Wii, or rather Wii Sports does not replace a good work out, although it does require more energy that Project Gotham Racing 3. Who would have guessed?

Eleven physically-fit teenagers, ages 13 to 15, were selected for the study. After measuring expended energy in a resting state using five sensors placed around the body, the participants played 15 minutes of Project Gotham Racing 3, followed by rounds of Wii Sports boxing, tennis, and bowling for 15 minutes each. Though there was a marked difference in expended energy between rest and PGR3, Wii Sports definitely has a lead on the racer in physical activity. But not by much.

The end results were that Wii sports: Tennis uses the most energy. Next was Wii Sports: Boxing, followed by Wii Sports: Bowling. In last was Project Gotham Racing 3. Although coming in first among the games, that study states that playing Wii Sports still doesn’t use enough energy to produce any substantial exercise. It would be interesting to see a similar study done with Wii Fit.