Educators See DDR Exergaming Benefits At Exercise Convention

Konami has announced that it will participate in this year's American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) convention as a way to showcase the health benefits associated with playing video games such as those in the Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) series. This year's convention, which represents one of the nation's largest gatherings of health and physical educators, is scheduled to be held from April 26 though April 28 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Over the course of the three-day event, Konami will be instructing attendees on the benefits of DDR, as well as various ways to introduce the popular video game into their school's Physical Education program. The popularity of using DDR as a tool for education and physical fitness has already taken hold in West Virginia, as Konami recently signed a three-year partnership whereby all 765 West Virginia public schools will be adding rhythm game DDR to their physical education or health related curriculum based program within the next two years. The games are currently set to be rolled out into all of the West Virginia's 103 middle/junior high schools within the coming months. “DDR has been proven to be an extremely effective way of promoting weight loss among today's young people and the game fits in perfectly as part of the physical education curriculum in our nation's schools,” said Clara Gilbert, Director of Business Partnerships, Konami Digital Entertainment. “DDR is one of the most innovative video game concepts ever, and it is a fun and entertaining way for kids and adults to develop healthy habits and a fitness-oriented lifestyle.” Other studies, such as Debra A Lieberman's “Dance Games and Other Exergames: What the Research Says” further examines and reinforces the benefits associated with playing games such as DDR, which force players to get up and actively participate in the experience, rather than simply sit and use a conventional game controller. In addition to its participation with AAHPERD, Konami is also sponsoring a National Association for Sports and Physical Education (NASPE) seminar entitled “Interactive Video Games in K-12”. Moderated by Josh M. Trout of California State University, Chico, the seminar will discuss how new interactive video games can actually help increase physical activity levels as well as help students learn about the physiological functions of their bodies.