Dancetown - Cobalt Flux Inc

	Videogame-based exercise programs
	Videogame-based exercise programs

In general, physical exercise has been shown to have numerous benefits for both physical and mental health [1] and is widely recommended to maintain health in later life [2]. DanceTown offers a new strategy to promote physical exercise.

Video games have become a widespread form of recreation for young people because they are engaging, reinforcing and rewarding to players who get immediate feedback on their performance and are rewarded for continued practice with opportunities to expand to new experiences within the game. Most video games in the past have been controlled by use of the hands and tend to promote a sedentary lifestyle. More recently, new video game based systems that require physical activity rather than hand controls have been developed.

Dance pad games are now played by young people all over the world [8]. Dance pad games have the advantages of video games with interaction, rapid feedback, progress and rewards for persistence, but they have all the advantages of dance: they require an expenditure of energy [9, 10], and they promote endurance, strength, coordination and balance. Since dance pad dancing requires attention, concentration and visual spatial skills, it also has the potential to serve as a form of cognitive training as well [11].

Dance pad games are now emerging as a strategy to promote physical activity in children and young adults. The West Virginia schools have incorporated Konami’s Dance Dance Revolution dance pad game into their physical education programs [12, 13]. Dance pad games are also emerging as a potential strategy to promote weight loss and reduce obesity in children and young adults.