Posted on 02/05/2007 8:38:12 AM PST by the_devils_advocate_666
A revolution has begun in West Virginia public schools that may change the way students look at physical activity.
The West Virginia Department of Education has teamed up with Konami Digital Entertainment to place the game ''Dance Dance Revolution'' in the state's public schools after a study done by the West Virginia University School of Medicine showed that children who play the game become more physically fit.
The study focused on overweight children who were required to play ''Dance Dance Revolution'' five days a week for 12 weeks, according to Emily Murphy, a pediatric exercise physiologist, the University's School of Medicine.
During the study, researchers looked at risks for cardiovascular health and general physical fitness.
The study found that the participants' general physical fitness increased over the duration and that those who became interested in the game were more likely to continue playing.
''The kids actually did it. You may find with other programs you have to drag them into it, but they actually did it,'' Murphy said.
Murphy said this may help children become more comfortable with exercise. Traditional physical education methods may not be as effective because some children may feel intimidated that they are not at the same physical fitness level as others.
'''Dance Dance Revolution' appeals to children at different activity levels; it kind of levels the playing field,'' Murphy said. ''It's kind of a gateway.''
Don Chapman, assistant director of the Office of Healthy Kids at the West Virginia Department of Education, said that this program can become an important step toward more physical fitness for West Virginia children.
The program originated as a partnership among Public Employees Insurance Agency, the public insurance provider for state employees, the West Virginia Department of Education and WVU. Later, the partnership came to include the game's manufacturer, Konami.
''Dance Dance Revolution'' is currently being placed in all West Virginia middle schools and after evaluating the success rate, may be placed in high schools.
Konami has provided free training for all middle school physical education teachers so that they will be able to teach students how to safely play the game.
Chapman sees this as an important step because of changing student interests.
''We found a certain segment of the student populations weren't interested in traditional physical education,'' Chapman said. ''In no way are we looking at this as a magic bullet for curing sedentary lifestyles for students.''
Chapman also said that after playing ''Dance Dance Revolution'' at schools, students could have their parents purchase the game for them so they can play at home.
''I think we're just in the emphasis stage of that technology, and I'm interested to see where it will go,'' Chapman said.
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
Oh, yeah, just what we need: a million Jboys.
I dunno know about tax $ being spent on it but my kids have Dance Dance Revolution and they play it 2-3 times week and is quite the physical workout. The schools which are not making phys ed a daily requirement are selling their kids short.
God forbid they should spend money on more economical things like dodgeball or soccer.
They brought this into our school system, middle school and high school. I guess a lot of kids love it and they are participating in this after lunch.
This was funded by PTO and the money they raise is through fund raisers and a lot of hard work on by many volunteers.
In our school system a lot of projects like this are funded by PTO or similar parent organizations.
This is culturally insensitive since Islam and the Southern Baptists frown on dancing.
I don't think those mad mohammedans would be too welcome in the Hill Country ... too many ol' boys there who know how to S. S. S.
I've seen kids playing the arcade version of DDR, and it looks like a fairly intense workout.
It is intense and I think it is a great fun way to get exercise.
Hopefully the girls don't come out of it looking like the East German Women's Swim team.
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
I hated dodgeball!
It's evil I tell you evil (and I ain't jokin ;) )
However, anything that remotely resembled dance and I was there in a heartbeat. Sports are not the only way to exercise.
Dancing in public.
Dancing at home, with your family is very common.
my 12 year old daughter got it for her birthday last summer and it was the theme of her bday party. heck i am not coordinated enough for it!
I have a friend here at work who's daughters have it and they LOVE IT. She just had a birthday party for the 12 y.o. and it got quite the workout.
They had a piece on pole dancing on Fox this weekend. Apparently THAT is becoming a popular way for schoolgirls to exercise.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.