Book Description
"Recently there has been an increase in the development of physically interactive gaming systems. Wii Fit Plus, a follow-up to the initial Wii Fit, was released for the Nintendo Wii in North America in 2009. The Ninendo Wii combines player's total body movements with motion sensitive joysticks which elicits virtual in-game response (Barkley & Penko, 2009). Wii Fit Plus uses a combination of a balance board and joysticks to allow players to undergo different exercise protocols. The original Wii Fit is currently the third bestselling console game in history, while Wii Fit Plus is the seventh bestselling (Nintendo Co., Ltd., 2010). The sales records indicate the extreme popularity of the Wii Fit franchise and its use as an alternative form of exercise. A complete physical fitness program in adults should include cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, and balance training (Clark, 2007). The Wii Fit Plus incorporates all of these components through programs such as yoga, strength training, aerobics, and balance training. The purpose of this study was to determine if the adult population can increase strength and balance after utilizing a Wii Fit Plus exercise protocol. Can the Wii Fit Plus be used as a practical alternative to traditional exercise? It is important to explore alternative forms of exercise because public facilities can be too expensive to utilize. One study shows that easy access to a facility or equipment was a major factor in compliance with an exercise program (Nitz et al., 2009). Since the Wii Fit Plus is easily accessible and relatively inexpensive, it has the potential to be an alternative exercise tool if proven to be effective. Furthermore, it can also be significant in determining if the Wii Fit Plus can be used as a tool for rehabilitation of leg strength and balance or as a preventative exercise tool to decrease the risk of falls related to poor balance. It was hypothesized that the experimental population will experience greater improvements in balance and lower extremity strength as compared to the control population."--Ch. 1.