A "fitness" revolution? Certain video games can help one be physically fit instead of physically out of it

When people think of exercise and fitness playing videogames usually does not follow that train of thought. Attempts at integrating electronic games with aerobics, such as step aerobics and cycling, have never really taken off--more than likely due to the accompanying game not being fun. Ideally, people would like to be physically fit without putting in any work--without really exercising.

Enter Dance Dance Revolution. The "Simon-Says" meets "Twister" game requires the player to follow arrows on the screen with his or her feet on four direction pads--left, right, up and down. The music, ranging from Korean techno to American electronica, provides the game's rhythm because a song's beat correlates with the pace of the arrows shown. Songs can contain as little as 80 steps per song or as many as 200 in approximately a minute and a half. The score is determined by how precisely the player's steps match the beat and directional cues. Anyone with a smidgen of foot coordination can walk into an arcade and get his or her 75 cents worth, but for the rhythmically challenged, it is better to carry a few dollar bills to cash in for the long haul.

The video game, which started as a phenomenon that swept through Japan in 1998, is a relatively new experience for the American audience. Business operators, however, have seen the drawing power of the arcade game, with over 1,500 units available across the United States. DDR units are found at arcades, movie theaters and amusement parks. They are usually surrounded by onlookers, befuddled by, its strobe lights and neon glow or enjoying a players performance. Advanced players often create dance routines to impress bystanders or participate in events that reward players for their craft. Tournaments are often held at arcades and prizes ranging from winning the unit to cash in the four-digit range are not uncommon.

Bringing it Home

For those who prefer not to flaunt their dance skills (or lack thereof) in a public place, a home version of the game is available for PlayStation[R] 2 and XBox[R]. Both versions typically cost about $40. The dance pad, which can last up to a year with regular use, costs between $25 and $30. However, bundle packs of the game and dance pad are also available for about $60. The latest PlayStation[R] 2 version, DDRMAX2, has added features such as new difficulty levels that allow a player to learn the basics with on-screen instruction and a customization mode that allows the user to make his or her own dance steps to existing songs. The XBox[R] version, DDR UltraMix, includes options such as downloadable songs from the XBox[R] Live service and online play which lets players compete with others from their homes.

In addition to the arcade version, both DDRMAX2 and DDR UltraMix offer a "Workout Mode," which records calories burned and the total weight one has lost since entering it in the first session. This mode also calculates how many jump tope jumps one would have to do as well as kilometers one would have to swim or run to get the same results as one session of Dance Dance Revolution. At a beginner's level (which contains about 150 steps in approximately a minute and a half), an hour session can burn about 360 calories. Compare that to jumping rope 520 times. An hour session in the regular mode is equal to almost 3,000 jump rope jumps and close to a five-mile run.

The stigmas that accompany video gaming will still be there--yes, there are video games that objectify women and have a gratuitous amount of blood and gore. The links between obesity in children, non-activity and electronics have been established. Hopefully, however, Dance Dance Revolution can let you in on the secret that certain games aren't counterproductive to being healthy. The easy part may be recognizing the black box in the center of your teenager's world can be a viable way to being fit--the hard part might be kicking them off it.

Tips for Playing Dance Dance Revolution

* Rhythm is the absolute key to this game. How actively you move your feet determines how much exercise you get and the accuracy of your steps controls how long a session lasts. The more accurate you are, the longer you play.

* Stretch before every session. Dance Dance Revolution requires a lot of leg movement and an extended session without stretching usually leaves the player with sore calves and ankles.

* Coordination is also imperative. Get acquainted with stepping on the pads by starting at the beginner's level and slowly move your way up the difficulty ladder.

Al Molina is a journalism major at Vista College. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Aerobics and Fitness Association of America
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group