Admit it – you’ve all thought about it. Can you give up exercise for winter (or forever?) and just stay fit by playing video games? Okay, maybe it’s just me that wonders if that’s possible. But if you are one of the many people using a Wii for fun or for fitness, you’ve probably wondered just how much of a workout you get from it. A recent study has given us the data.

William R. Yates, MD, has summarised the findings of a Japanese study which showed that showed some games require the same energy expenditure as moderate-intensity exercise. According to Yates, this is the list of “the top 10 Wii activities ranked by MET** value from the study”:

METS (Activity)

* 5.6: Single-arm stand
* 5.1: Basic run
* 4.2: Boxing
* 4.2: Hula Hoop
* 4.0: Running Plus
* 4.0: Push-up and Side-Plank
* 4.0: Advanced Step
* 3.9: Rhythm Boxing
* 3.6: Boxing Squat
* 3.5: Balance Bridge

Compare this to the METs of “normal” exercises:

* 8: Jogging @ 12 minutes per mile
* 6: Bicycling @ 10 mph
* 5: Tennis doubles
* 5: Walking @ 4 mph
* 4.5: Golf carrying clubs
* 4: Walking @ 3.5 mph
* 3.5: Golf not carrying clubs
* 2.5: Bowling
* 2.5: Walking @ 2 mph

Apart from this, there are numerous benefits from programs such as Wii Yoga, things like balance and flexibility, that are an important part of physical health. This shows that not only would Wii Sports and Wii Fit Plus be suitable as a way to introduce physical activity for people who may have “missed a few workouts lately”, it would also be a suitable way to get your recommended daily exercise prescription (30 minutes 5 times a week is what you should all be aiming for!).

** To estimate energy expenditure, they used a standard unit called METs, or metabolic equivalent values. “A MET of 3, for example, means an activity requires three times as much energy expenditure as resting,”. Light-intensity exercise is less than 3 METs, moderate-intensity exercise is 3 to 6 METs, and vigorous activity is more than 6 METs. An adult walking 3 miles an hour on a flat surface expends just over 3 METs. Source: WebMD