Get ready for gaming PE lessons
Sunday, September 27, 2006 - Playing computer
games isn't known for getting you fit, in fact lots
of people say they do the opposite. But some schools
are now replacing PE lessons with some new games that
don't just test your fingers and thumbs, but give your
whole body a workout. The games are even turning up
in leisure centres and children's gyms.
Some of them will be familiar, but they've been given
a sporty new twist. Click
here to see pictures of kids playing the games.
First up is machine dance, which uses dance mat technology.
But instead of competing to beat your top score you
take on up to 31 other kids all watching the same screen
to see who's best. And if that doesn't sound like exercise
to you, remember that top dance mat gamers can dance
up to 18 steps a second.
Another piece of kit is the Sportwall, which gives
kids a chance to hit something as hard and as fast as
they can. Lights flash on that you need to hit with
a piece of foam. You score points for the number of
lights you hit in a certain time. You can play against
a pal or in a team.
The Exer-Station Pro looks like a normal console controller,
but you have to move your body to control the on-screen
action and not just your thumbs and fingers. Four people
can use it at once, and the machine has levels so it
pushes back against you and making the game more of
a challenge.
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