This month, the Nintendo Wii Fit becomes available to the US market. Have you gotten yours yet? 

It’s a unique exercise game with a Balance Board that can measure a user’s weight and their center of gravity, and calculate the body mass index when told the user’s height.  The balance board is that flat board under the model’s feet. — >

There is obvious excitement over this, since the video ads place this as a very fun exercise game/equipment, where one can do yoga, balance, flexibility, even push-ups, play soccer, etc. It’s supposed to make you more mindful of your health, and keep you moving.

Yesterday, I had a phone conversation with Dr. Mark Klion, orthopedic surgeon at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine Department of Orthopaedics. We talked about strain injuries resulting from repetitive activities associated with the Wii Sports that were traditionally seen only in actual competitive sports. He reminded us to limit the game to 30 minutes at the most, and to take breaks when a feeling of discomfort or pain sets in.

As a Wii user himself, Dr. Klion shared his thoughts on the new Wii Fit.

Kids Health Notes:  Now Wii Fit – I saw an ad at the Nintendo website. It seems to be marketed as a video exercise program, similar to a Dvd on Pilates or yoga. What’s your opinion about this?

Dr. Mark Klion: I watched the trailer on the website the other day. You’re standing on a pressure plate and I guess it’s figuring out your weight transference. There is one video standing where they show a young kid on a plate and on screen he’s hitting balls with his head. If it’s picking up your feet signal then it’s translating it from the rest of the body to the head. There’s no sensor on your head or in your hand that I’m aware of. If there’s nothing, then you can literally stand on the plate and just move your toes and heels and it will show that you’re leaning forward and hitting the ball with your head.

I’m not sure, if it’s picking up your head movement more than just your feet. So maybe if you’re really leaning to the left or putting pressure on your left foot and leading forward on your left foot, then it still translates that to the screen.

It’s an interesting concept since it is mimicking a little more of balance work and maybe that’s what the Wii fit is really good because you can have biofeedback for balance. Have someone work on balancing exercise and that’s a very reasonable thing. But to say that you’re doing a Pilates or yoga on a Wii board and you’re gonna make the same work out I’m not sure it makes sense.

It’s an interesting concept there’s no question. The jury will be out once it’s released in the US and people can try it and see what’s the ins and out of it are.

KHN: But you’re excited to try that for yourself too.

DMK: It’ll be fun! I play the Wii with my kids and like any video game it dies out after a while. So when the weather gets warm outside you want to play out.

KHN: Well, thank you so much for your time, Dr. Klion. I certainly learned a lot.

DMK: (The Wii) is definitely different. It’s amazing the number of games that’s out there. But the Wii is about sports, say tennis. That’s the shtick of the game. So they have to keep developing games like that to keep that separate than the standard Nintendo.

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The Nintendo Wii Fit will be available on May 21. If you think this one’s for you, then Amazon has pre-orders for $90.

image: Amazon store 

Post from: Blisstree

Is the Nintendo Wii Fit for you? – orthopedic expert weighs in