Munich (netdoktor.de) – game consoles entice more and more often with promise of fitness in front of the screen: virtual tennis, shaky skateboards and electronic yoga mats to keep players on their toes. Sounds good, but apparently more than it can keep promises: A new study of the University of Mississippi underwent the popular Nintendo Wii in the version “Fit” a practical test. Is not a better fitness to be expected in the long term, is the conclusion of the researchers in a communication of the University. The publication in a journal is announced.

The team led by Scott Owens recorded eight families in the study. First were all family members on their fitness, their sense of balance and their body proportions and examined, as well as their daily exercise for three months with Schrittzählern recorded. Then received the previously konsolenlosen families per a Wii fit.

Daily life was in the first few weeks on average 22 minutes per day, fell towards the end of the study but on four minutes per day. This could be the reason, so the authors, which is why the families at the last sports and fitness tests no better cut than at the beginning. Only the children benefited from the sports games: you improved aerobic tests significantly compared to the tests before the time of the console. Muscle strength, balance, and other physical activity not changed even with the kids.

Video games are very entertaining, but little effect on the sportiness of a family, judging by the authors. Turns out the season for it in general too low. (fs)