Fitness machine for child gamers
Nov 5th, 2006 by Lilian
This news caught my attention.
A machine has been invented to encourage children to work out while they are playing computer games.
The Step2Play step exercise machine links directly to a child’s computer games console.
The game’s controller will only work if the child keeps up a constant pre-set rate of exercise.
In my personal opinion, and I said, strictly my personal opinion, I see this as a tragic invention. Parents who resorted to this ought to give themselves a good hard knock on the head and take a look at themselves in the mirror. How is this different from the way they train zoo animals, e.g. the orang utan? If you want to play (eat a banana), you gotta work for it (run on the wheel)?
It is the parents’ responsibilities to curb obesity in their children by providing healthy foods, plenty of fresh air and opportunities to be a child, running, playing, swimming and all those things that children love to do. Not programme them to do something like this.
Dr Campbell said: “We know children are not as active as they need to be.
“Anything that encourages them to exercise has to be helpful. However, how sad that we have to bribe children into physical activity. It’s a terrible indictment on our society. (full story here)