Exergames

Mass-market, commercially available exergames have generated tremendous interest in the past year, largely due commercial availability, ease of use, and potential to get families exercising together. Initial research is promising, linking exergames to weight loss and increased voluntary participation in physical exercise.

Extension has been funded to research exergames impact, develop and implement specific recommendations for exergame implementation based on research, and execute the intervention strategy in at-risk audiences through the USDA Children, Youth and Families at Risk (CYFAR) program.

Recommendations will be designed for informal learning environments such as after-school fitness programs, but will also be applicable to formal environments as well, such as physical education classes.