Sunday, October 30
Making a Splash in the World of Exergaming!
Posted 19:52 0 comments
Tags: active gaming, exergaming, failure, fitness, industry, Nintendo vitality sensor, success
Thursday, August 25
How to Fit Exercise into a Busy Schedule
"I don't have the time to exercise, I'm too busy"
"The question is not how to fit exercise into my busy schedule, BUT How can I make exercise part of my routine?"Routine is important, its habit, it's sustainable, it's the comfort zone. Schedules infer lack of choice, time boxed activities, it's the obligation zone. If you have kids you'll know how important routines are; Your child needs a routine for comfort and you change your schedule around to suit THEM! Making sense? Hope so, (especially to parents!!) but what can you do to implement this missing aspect?
The very simplest way of doing this is to take the stairs, not the elevator or escalator. If you work in London, or another major city, you'll probably find taking the stairs is quicker than the queue for the escalator anyway! (Well, probably not at first, but you'll get there!).
That's not going to get you all the way to 60 minutes a day though, although it'll be the right intensity. Here's a tip, take a diary (journal) of all the "free" screen time you have. Be it playing video games, surfing the web, listening to songs on YouTube, checking your Facebook or reading Blogs. Is there any pattern? Chances are there is, and after a few weeks you should have an hour a day (including weekends), so let's use this.
I'm not suggesting you forgo your leisure time in favor of going to the gym or out running, that's changing your schedule, and that's a bad tactic. What I'm looking for you to do is change your routine - instead of having this time as sedentary, making the behavior change to Active Screen Time (AST).
If you spend a lot of time on the computer or internet, use the Gamercize PC-Sport to make this active time. Studies indicate this will improve your BMI and health with a more efficient cardio vascular system, i.e. you'll be fitter. If you play a lot of video games, change that journalled sedentary time with Gamercize Pro-Sport for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. We're not suggesting you change the game to a tedious exercise game, keep playing what YOU want to, Gamercize works online, offline with the games people play for entertainment.
Posted 17:20 2 comments
Tags: active gaming, active lifestyle, busy schedule, exercise, exergaming, gamercize, work fitness
Tuesday, August 23
Gamercize Research Information
Any time, any thing, any place - Gamercize delivers!
Here is the current list of Gamercize studies that have been published. You will notice there is no "back-page" to this publication, the reason being there is more to add!
I hope you can see that a sound concept leads to sound results! It should be recognized that it is the effectiveness and flexibility of the products that lead to these great results, if you have not experienced Gamercize, maybe it's time to put it to the test yourself!
Posted 10:45 0 comments
Tags: active gaming, exercise desk, gamercize, kids fitness, research, school PE, study ideas
Sunday, August 21
Getting the Team Spirit into Exergaming
Group exergaming in teams? Gamercize shows you how!
One of the main advantages of linked play in exergaming is that it's a safe and controllable environment for users such as schools and clubs. Linked play gives equal levels of engagement of online play, with the simplicity in technology of single player mode. It's like the racing video games you see in arcades, with four cars next to each other, everyone gets a screen but the play is linked in the game.
Here's what you need to get exergaming in linked mode, using the Xbox 360 as an example. First you'll need a suitable Gamercize setup, and double it. A good configuration is a screen, Xbox 360 and 2x Gamercize Pro-Sport Power Steppers. Now double that. Arrange the screens and stations back to back if possible. The advantage of linked play over two player (also known as co-op) mode is that the screen real estate is not split, and each screen is hidden from the other team!
You will also need two Xbox 360 titles that are compatible with "system link", one for each Xbox. The game needs to support this function and as with every Gamercize experience - the game is the most important factor, so spend some time to get this right and do a little research (for some ideas check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Xbox_System_Link_games). The Xbox uses the term "system link" for linked play, here's the symbol to look out for on the back of the box;
The last thing you'll need is a connection between the two Xbox'es. Some people call this a network cable, RJ45, Ethernet cable or patch cable. It's the type of cable that plugs into the back of your computer at work. There is a port for this on the back of the Xbox, which is normally used to plug into the network for online play, but using it to link two Xbox'es together doesn't need help from IT, doesn't need ports open on the firewall and presents no risk associated with "online chat" etc. Plug the same lead into both consoles. This is what the port looks like (highlighted in the red box below).
You are all set to go! Now you can play the same game on both stations, but linked! For the next part, playing the game, you will need the help of another person. Using the same title in each Xbox start stepping (or cycling if you are using the Gamercize Endurance Cycle) to activate the controllers. If you have not set up gamer profiles for you Xbox, do this now (yes, you have to keep stepping while you do this, it's exergaming!).
In the main game menu there will be an item similar to, if not actually reading as "linked play", sometimes this is a sub-menu under a main menu item of "multiplayer". With BOTH stations at this point in the game it will be possible to set up a game where both are playing against each other.
There's often the chance to set up MORE than two stations in system link, this concept is readily seen in Major Leauge Gaming competitions, but we start to get a little more complicated as an eithernet hub is required. If you are interested in this option take a look at the Xbox knowledge base (and tell them Gamercize sent you!) http://support.xbox.com/en-us/pages/xbox-360/troubleshoot/kb/xbox-kb.aspx?kbid=910583
A great title to try this with would be a soccer game. Both stations can have two players, creating a 2 on 2 scenario where tactics and co-operation are the ultimate winners of the competition. Games that also have "plays" that can be selected also work very well, with the added advantage that the opposing team can't see what play you have selected, just like real life!
If you do get stuck, go back to basics, make sure you have the connections right and get some teenagers to figure it out for you! Have fun, keep fit and enjoy!
Posted 17:45 1 comments
Tags: active gaming, exergaming, gamercize, group fitness, linked play, multiplayer, playstation 3, system link, xbox 360, xbox live
Wednesday, August 17
Gamercize in Hong Kong
Gamercize has Global Appeal
This week saw Gamercize featured in a TV show in Hong Kong as an intervention for a case of a sedentary lifestyle. The experience of HKU was explained as "wow factor". See the video below.
Videos and content to keep you up to date with Gamercize are available on our Facebook page here. Hope you Like it!
Posted 18:45 0 comments
Tags: active gaming, exergaming, gamercize, health promotion, physical activity, Sedentary lifestyle
Friday, August 12
Active Gaming for the Girls
When you think about Active Gaming (AG) you may be thinking about images of Wii Bowling in retirement accommodations, or maybe mom’s keeping up with a Jillian Micheal's fitness regime after the kids have left for school. Another perception you may have comes from the “gaming” aspect of AG, which gives the impression that it’s more of a “boy’s” activity. In my experience with my company Gamercize, I’ve found this is far from the case. Active Gaming is much more than this, and has a much wider appeal, global appeal in fact.
My company, Gamercize, works with many different types of active gaming users, including teachers and schools, and providers products and services to help every person be more active by changing sedentary screen time into active screen time.
One service we provide is a PE Teacher familiarization and training day, to bring PE and technology together, almost like a hands-on “Show and Tell”. These days are a great way to give us a chance to test out the reactions to different types of games, reaching out to new demographics, and acquire useful feedback from students. One event that appeared to offer different challenges was for a girl’s school. We took along a good selection of games, finding the Xbox 360 offered more variety than the PlayStation 3, that has predominately shooting or racing games. The fun part about the equipment we used was any game would work, the active part of the active gaming being to keep stepping to play.
The XBox 360 video game console supports 4 players, although most readily available and popular games available for them support two players per console. There are options for up to 16 players “linked” and countless social interactions available with online play. The cost per station is far more attractive for multiple players per console and the offline play mode makes it much easier for the teacher to be in control of the session without outside influence.
In the UK the adherence for girls in PE is generally lower than for boys, especially at the age range we had at this school, the teens. Some problems have been recognised and addressed, for example not mandating gym skirts and allowing sweat pants or shorts not appropriate for PE wear, but this group remains the most difficult to keep engaged in class. It’s difficult for teachers to keep to curriculum and progress the children if they only sporadically attend class; I was given the job of working out how to engage them more.
The easiest games to engage boys with are sports games, would the same be true for girls? Sports worked well, but it was clear the girls wanted more variety, so to engage the whole class we had to do a lot more. After changing games on the consoles a couple of times we settled into three different genres on all three consoles. Sports was still popular, fantasy racing won out over pure racing simulation and the last genre turned out best; fantasy adventure. This kept the whole class active and happy, and pleasantly surprised as they were expecting traditional gym work for the lesson, not active gaming!
Wednesday, August 10
The Power of Video Games (for Exergamers)
Exergaming is Driven by Gaming
Posted 21:34 0 comments
Tags: active gaming, exercise, exergaming, gamercize, health, video games
Tuesday, June 7
Active Gaming Research Projects
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If you are an undergrad looking for a project idea for your dissertation or a researcher looking to break new ground with the best active gaming has to offer then take a look at our Research Questions.
This is a list of the projects that have been completed using Gamercize equipment by various organisations;
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There are many research questions that still need to be answered, and this is a top list of study designs that Gamercize would be interested in seeing the results. There is a list of our "Research Questions" here.
Posted 11:01 0 comments
Tags: active gaming, dissertation, evidence base, exergaming, gamecize, research, study ideas, undergraduate
Saturday, May 28
Gamercize at Games for Health 2011
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Tags: active gaming, exergaming, gamercize, games for health, serious games
Thursday, March 24
Exergaming putting PE in the news (Video)
Lisa Hansen is leading the way with research and practical application of exergaming in schools. The USF Research Labs are showing that technology and PE can co-exist with results that the kids love!
Posted 12:04 1 comments
Tags: active gaming, exergaming, gamercize, Lisa hansen, PE, usf
Saturday, March 19
Gamercize - The Story So Far
Patented technology provides the immersion of the very best gaming has to offer, with genuine heart pumping workouts at a level you choose. There is no finer exergame for the millions of true gamers playing the latest games co-op, solo and online. If you want to know what we have for 2011, click here:http://www.gamercizeshop.com
Gamercize - Reach the Next Level - http://www.gamercize.net
Posted 20:58 0 comments
Tags: active gaming, deskercise, exergaming, gamercize, ps3, sneak peek, tv, wii, xbox
Tuesday, February 22
Active Gaming meets PE in Greensboro
What did we LEARN from Southern District NC AAHPERD?
Posted 10:35 0 comments
Tags: AAHPERD, active gaming, exergaming, gamercize, greensboro, kymm ballard, Lisa hansen, PE, school, SPARK, teaching
Sunday, February 20
Gamercize School Handbook
Posted 11:30 0 comments
Tags: active gaming, exercise while learning, exergaming, gamercize, PE, physical activity, school, technology
Friday, January 28
Gamercize in Active Gaming Schools
Welcome to Westminster Primary School, the first of five schools in a three year Westminster pilot study. This school is equipped with the Gamercize Kids-Sport for ages seven to eleven. When the kids are stepping their controller lights up and they can play normal video games, if they stop exercise the controller is disabled and the game pauses. They have to start stepping again to play. This is great visual feedback of the Gamercize interaction that keeps kids moving!
We are now at Westminster Academy in London, the second school of the Westminster Project, for the older children aged eleven to sixteen. We are looking at the positive effects Gamercize has on engaging the children in exercise to provide not only physical activity minutes, but to also improve learning and skill development. The equipment being used here is the award winning Gamercize Pro-Sport. These children are using their Gamercize Power Steppers to keep the controllers lit, so they can play great games on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
There is a wide variety of age-appropriate games for the kids to use and keep them entertained while they meet health, fitness and cognitive objectives. Student mentors help get the younger kids started, but the appeal of Gamercize is wide enough, even the teachers are immersed in active gaming.
To find out why Gamercize has been voted by the public as Best PE Exergame Of the Year and to browse the range of home , work and school equipment, see our website http://www.gamercize.net
Posted 08:12 0 comments
Tags: active gaming, exergaming, gamercize, PE, playstation 3, school, wii, xbox 360
Friday, January 21
Gamercize Voted Best Physical Education Exergame of 2010
The Gamercize Pro-Sport range, for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii was the public choice for Best Physical Education and Best Competition Exergame of 2010. The international awards reflect public recognition of Gamercize used in schools around the world, available to educators with distribution hubs in America, Middle East, Asia and Europe.
The effectiveness of Gamercize in schools that these awards recognise is currently being tested in the biggest pilot of its kind in schools in Westminster, London. The project measures health, fitness and cognitive outcomes from getting kids active with Gamercize, covering five schools over three years in partnership with top industry consultants such as, Dr Ernie Medina, Stephen Yang and Judy Shasek under the lead of Dr Michael Duncan.
Results in real world operation from the Westminster Project are expected to ratify research study results that have proven Gamercize as effective in terms of both energy expenditure and sustainability for health impact.
For more information on Gamercize for schools, see the official Gamercize websitehttp://www.gamercize.net and order from your local distributor or directly from the webshop athttp://www.gamercizeshop.com
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Posted 15:17 0 comments
Tags: active gaming, exergaming, gamercize, new pe, Nintendo Wii, physical eduction, playstation 3, the exergame network, xbox 360
Monday, January 17
Kinect Wins Top International Exergaming Award
In the category for Best Home Exergame of 2010, Microsoft’s Kinect Sports has taken the honours with the majority of the public vote. Nintendo Wii Fit and Sports achieved significant victories in awards for older exergamers and rehabilitation.
”The inaugural TEN Awards is a significant initiative to raise public awareness of the commercial grade Exergaming solutions available world wide and to honour the key pioneering manufacturers in this exciting health and fitness genre” says Brett Young, founding member of The Exergame Network and CEO of Exergaming Australia.
The full results of The Exergame Network Awards 2010 are as follows;
- Best Children's Exergame - WINNER: Dance Dance Revolution Disney Grooves by Konami
- Best Physical Education Exergame - WINNER: Gamercize Pro-Sport for Wii
- Best Seniors Exergame - WINNER: Nintendo Wii Sports Bowling
- Best Accessibility Exergame - WINNER: Nintendo Wii Sports
- Best Home Dance Exergame - WINNER: Konami DDR
- Best Commercial Grade Dance Exergame - WINNER: Positive Gaming iDANCE2
- Best Exergame Fitness Avatar - WINNER: Wii Yoga
- Best Rehabilitation Exergame - WINNER: Nintendo Wii Fit and Wii Fit Plus
- Best Group Exergame - WINNER: Positive Gaming iDANCE2
- Best Gateway Exergame - WINNER: Nintendo Wii Sports
- Best Competition Exergame - WINNER: Gamercize Pro-Sport for Xbox 360
- Best Brain Exergame - WINNER: NeuroActive BrainBike
- Best Music in an Exergame - WINNER: Positive Gaming iDANCE2
- Best Commercial Exergame 2010 - WINNER: Positive Gaming iDANCE2
- Best Home Exergame 2010 - WINNER: Microsoft Kinect Sports
”The first ever TEN Awards is a great step in helping both consumers and healthcare professionals know where to start when trying to select (or recommend) an exergame for their particular need. The voting was from a wide array of exergaming enthusiasts from around the globe. I believe this is a great start and hope that this will encourage game developers and exergaming manufacturers to continue to produce great products and raise the field of exergaming” says Dr. Ernie Medina, Jr., DrPH, founding member of The Exergame Network, CEO of MedPlay Technologies, and the “Exergaming Evangelist/Interventionist”.
The full nominations and results are available on The Exergame Network website at http://www.exergamenetwork.org/ and an analysis of the voting data will be provided later this year through TEN member and Co-Director of the USF Active Gaming Labs, Dr Lisa Hansen. The Exergame Network can be joined or contacted via LinkedIn, Facebook, Wiki, Twitter or by email at info@exergamenetwork.org
Posted 19:52 0 comments
Tags: active gaming, awards, exergaming, gamercize, kinect, the exergame network, winners