Smaller computer screens can be used to play Wii, though when designing a program for seniors, clubs should note that their vision limitations may require a larger screen. Photo courtesy of Nifty After Fifty.

Teenagers once ruled the world of active gaming, while their grandparents sat and watched. Now seniors are competing in virtual boxing matches, dance tournaments and bowling games — sometimes against their grandchildren.

Although gaming products were predominately geared toward the younger set only a few years ago, the introduction of the Wii has turned electronic gaming into an activity that everyone can enjoy, says Colin Milner, CEO of the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

"This is one of the rare products that we've seen grab hold and do well in the senior market in such a short period of time," Milner says. "I don't see any trend indicating that it's slowing down."

Over the past few years, this trend has caught on at retirement communities and fitness facilities nationwide. By getting seniors up and moving, active gaming is helping older adults sharpen their minds, strengthen their bodies, and lift their spirits by creating a sense of community.

Lisa Hansen, the co-director of an active gaming vendor's research lab at the University of South Florida, describes active gaming as screen-based activities that require physical movement in order to play and control the game. While seniors are playing the Wii, they're moving their bodies, rather than just their thumbs, and they're often stepping or swinging their arms.

Retirement communities are dedicating entire rooms to Wii gaming and organizing competitive tournaments. In fact, more retirement centers plan to buy a gaming system than traditional cardiovascular equipment over the next two years, according to research from the ICAA.

By investing about $1,000 in a big screen TV and about $300 in a gaming system, health club owners easily can integrate this trend into their facilities, too. So far, however, Milner says the Wii trend hasn't made the leap from retirement communities to clubs. Sandy Coffman, the president of Programming for Profit in Bradenton, FL, also has seen few multipurpose clubs capitalizing on this trend, but, she says, "I think they should think about it because it brings the camaraderie, the fun and the social aspect to exercise."

Club owners may be reluctant to invest in the equipment, shift away from their business models or dedicate space within their clubs, however. While Chris Davis, business development manager for Club 50, which targets members over 50 years old, doesn't rule out the possibility of investing in this kind of equipment down the road, he doesn't see the clubs integrating this technology in the near future.

"We haven't moved into the electronic gaming area because we have a set 30-minute program," says Davis. "If we did deploy it, it would be used at the front or back end of a workout, or while they're waiting."

Although playing on the Wii is a great way for seniors to relax post-workout, it should not be a substitute for regular cardio and strength training exercise, says Sheldon Zinberg, chairman and president of Nifty After Fifty, which has nine clubs catering to people over 50.

"It's not vigorous exercise, but it can burn calories and help people keep their weight under control," he says. "It should be ancillary to their exercise program."

Research studies have shown that calories burned playing the Wii are not as great as users get by playing the actual sport.

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