Seniors getting a "Wii" bit off exercise

4/25/08When Nintendo released its Wii video gaming system back in 2006, they likely never expected the console to be used as exercise equipment by senior citizens.

Senior citizens are the second-largest consumer demographic for the Wii, and senior centers and assisted living facilities, such as the Forge Hill Senior Living Center in Franklin, are using the video game console to encourage activity and exercise amongst their residents.

"It's the new thing for rehab and getting people up and active," said Forge Hill's activities director Tiffany Badger. "It's made for kids, but a lot of nursing homes and assisted living centers are using it to get people out of bed, get them more active and give them more time to socialize, and they love it."

The Wii gaming system is designed for interaction with the user. If you want to play a game of tennis, you must physically swing a virtual paddle back and forth against an opponent, and the same is true for the Wii's complete offering of sports games: each game simulates the actual movements needed to play whichever sport the user chooses.

"I haven't had this much fun getting exercise in a long time," said Forge Hill resident Carol Hennessey. "I always used to watch my grandchildren play these crazy video games and not have any idea what was going on. Now, when they come to visit Grandma, we can play together."

At Forge Hill, bowling is the video game that is en vogue, played with a special remote control that simulates a bowling ball. Players must go through the motions of "throwing" the virtual ball down the lane in a near-perfect replica of actual live bowling. Badger said that when she first introduced the concept of virtual bowling to the seniors, "they got very confused because we don't have a bowling alley at the center."

Now, the seniors can't get enough of the games. They compete with one another, and cheer each other on with great enthusiasm. In the process, the center has unearthed a means of getting everyone active with something they seem to be enjoying thoroughly.

"I love it," said Forge Hill resident Janet Caton. "I used to bowl when I was younger, so I was comfortable with it right away. It's so much fun. I hope they get us another one.