Dolly Smigiel’s bowling team, the Mountaineers, practices twice a week for 90 minutes a day. They have matching shirts, cheerleaders and three tournaments under their belts, but they don’t own a single bowling ball. Smigiel, 76, and her crew play on the Nintendo Wii video game console at a senior center in Phoenix.
Nintendo reports that the Wii – which hit its 20 million mark in June – is the fastest-selling video game console in U.S. history. And, according to Nielsen's GamePlay Metrics service, the Wii is by far the most popular video game console for people older than 55. Instead of players just sitting on the couch, they mimic the movements of various sports using a distinctive wireless remote, letting them play games such as bowling, tennis and golf.
But adults of all ages aren’t just playing for fun. They’re taking their skills on the road and, like Smigiel, playing in Wii leagues and Wii tournaments. In addition to senior centers and retirement homes, bars and public libraries from the Bronx to Keyser, W.Va., offer Wii matches where adults can get seriously competitive. Call around to local community or recreation centers to find Wii leagues or start your own in someone’s living room. All you need is a Wii (rentable at Rent-A-Center stores) and a basic fun activity such as bowling, found in the Wii Sports game.
Wii athletes can post local tourneys and track them online at Web sites, such as SeniorWiiNation.com where site creator Catherine Masters is working on putting together a Wii circuit for competitors. “As you get older, there’s no way to earn a living playing sports,” she says. “There’s a golf tour and tennis tours for seniors, but you have to be a pro to do that. I’d like adults to actually make money playing Wii.”
Video game publishers have recognized how many adults have jumped on the Wii bandwagon and are releasing more games that appeal to grown-ups. “The Wii is quite age agnostic,” says Dave McCarthy, vice president of game creator, EA Sports. “There are people in every age category owning and playing.” That’s why his company released EA Sports Active earlier this year as kind of a “personal trainer in a box,” he says. The fitness game offers 25 exercises and activities under the tutelage of a virtual trainer.
But for Smigiel, bowling is much more fun. “I have muscle damage in my legs so this is my fitness program,” she says after taking a break from daily practice one afternoon. “It’s about exercise, but it’s also about competition. We have to keep those scores up!”
Wii-itis: Video game aches and pains are real
While competitive Wii leagues can be a fun way to get fit, it’s important to remember to approach these virtual sports like real sports that require repetitive motion.
Regardless of how you’re doing it, overdoing repetitive motion can result in injury, say physiatrist Joel Press, MD, associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. Dr. Press uses the Wii to help patients recover from stroke and brain injuries.
To prevent musculoskeletal injuries that can result from the repetitive motions of playing Wii games, or any sports, Dr. Press recommends these tips:
- Start slowly and build up to see how your body tolerates it. “Just try not to do too much too fast,” says Dr. Press.
- Cross-train on the Wii just like you would in real life. “Do some tennis then bowling then Guitar Hero so you don’t overuse the same muscles,” he says.
- Play the game as you would the real sport. “Don’t try to overhit everything and kill the ball every time or you’ll really overexert yourself.”
- Take a break when your body starts to ache. Don’t play again until the pain subsides.
- Treat Wii pain just like you would any athletic injury – with pain medication, ice and rest, and consult your doctor if the pain persists.
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