Fighting childhood obesity in school: Experimental classroom created to study potential solutions

CNN report:
Study done in an elementary school.

Experimental classroom created

Santa and the Snow Monsters with Game Pad

Our first proof of concept game was designed to create a simple interface and action in a game, then use the dance pad to control it. We tested it at our office holiday party and found that adults (non gamers even) picked it right up and were able to navigate and move with ease.

You can play the game online (it is proof of concept only, not testing on multiple browsers, etc.) , or plug in a dance mat and play the dance mat version.

Kudos to the NMSU team for whipping this little morsel together!

Checking your email with a dance pad

We've been playing with some game development to use a dance pad for the controlling device in games... when you have to run through a forest, you have to run on the pad... that kind of thing. Some researchers at Microsoft have similar idea. They are using the dance pad as a computer interface for navigating around the screen.

Isometric Training with Doom!

I can't wait to try out the Kilowatt Controllers from Power Grid Fitness. Sold in three levels (professional gym, retail, and seated low-end consumer), these are designed to replace the controller of any regular game box, and make the user flex and move to navigate through the game. Each level has an adult size and a kid size controller. I have to admit, when I think about movement in games, I tend to thnk more about aerobic activity... but seeing these gives me other ideas about toning, floor work, stretching and toning. Very exciting...

Dance Pads in 4th and 5th grade

In the Get Up and Move site, review the Vern Patrick Elementary study with dance pads. Not used as part of a PE program, rather just 15 minutes a day to freshen up kids when they were getting tired, the classes had some tremendous results: higher test scores, 50% less absenteeism, weight loss. Watch the movies about how this activity fit in with even standardized test preparation.