Video games evolve into great exercise, but only if you play the right ones

By CNN

VIDEO:

Video dance mats are not only fun, but they're getting kids off the couch.

With Dance Dance Revolution, the mat is connected to a video or TV screen. While a song plays, the user is prompted to step on a square to earn points.

"You don't just sit there and move your fingers, you move your feet and get active," said 11-year-old Paul Teklead.

That's just what some adults want to hear.

"If kids are going to be engaging in video games why not have them be more active while they're doing it," said Lorraine Lanningham-Foster with the Mayo Clinic.

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic compared the amount of energy expended by kids using low level video games compared with dance mats. The difference was not surprising. The dancers burned five to six times more calories.

For 14-year-old Caroline Davenport, it's made a big difference.

"I lost about 10 pounds," she said.

She practices her moves at a local library competition.

"It keeps them moving. They have to move very fast. It gives them get quite a workout following all the images on the screen," Wheaton Library staffer Christopher Borawski said.

And it's not just any workout, but one that's also fun.

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