There's a new way to encourage fun physical activity among children. UnitedHealthcare has launched its own "exergaming" objective with the help of Harsbro's NERF productions, specifically the NERF ENERGY game kits.
UnitedHealthcare is donating the kits to school children from the Boys & Girls Clubs across the country during this holiday season. This is so that even with the school break, the children will be inclined to get their exercises and avoid a sedentary lifestyle that contributes to childhood obesity.
So far, UnitedHealthcare has already donated over 1,500 NERF ENERGY game kits in the states of California, Kansas, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nevada, Ohio, Texas and Washington, according to the press release. But the organization will continue with the donations until 2017 or until 10,000 game kits are disposed.
Exergaming, also known as gamercising, was first developed with the emergence of video games centering on fitness sports. According to a study published in the Games for Health Journal, exergaming is a great alternative to the traditional form of exercise.
"A video gaming system can make exercise more dynamic, more fun than DVDs, video tapes or going to the gym," Ben Sawyer of Games for Health said, according to BBC. Using the same concept, Hasbro developed the NERF ENERGY game kits to entice children to view exercise as fun and enjoyable.
The NERF ENERGY game kits are ideal for children from 6 to 14, according to the UHC Community Plan. It includes a game band that will be worn while playing with the foam soccer ball. Children ran rake up energy points that will be logged in the game band. The points can only be used in playing the NERF ENERGY RUSHapp.
The mobile app is loaded with features that let the player assume the role of a runner who has to speed up and avoid obstacles while finishing a course. While the app is a virtual game, the children can boost their player with actual exercise since they will be needing the energy points.
"By using this new game, we will help young people in our community develop healthy habits and learn that exercise can be fun," Penney Ainsworth of the Boys & Girls Clubs, according to the press release. Watch some school children play with their NERF ENERGY game kits while getting that much-needed exercise in the video below.
