Computer programs that make you sweat

Traditional video games have been blamed for contributing to childhood obesity, but Dance Dance Revolution, introduced by the Japanese company Konami nine years is such that the exercise of good schools in the U.S. began using it in gym class. The game comes with floor mat, which essentially puts computer buttons below. As a song plays, arrows on the screen - forward, backward, left or right. Players step on corresponding arrows on the floor mat.

Nintendo Wii makes games that allow people to play tennis, baseball, golf or live in their rooms. Its bowling game has become popular in Seniors' residences, "says Dr. Whitehead.

"She is drawing Seniors from their presidents.

But the Wii games use only one sensor, and Dr. Whitehead says that when he was released for a year, he asked whether it is possible to develop more complex games use more athletic sensors.

"The goal is to integrate more realism into the game," says Dr. Whitehead.

Besides the obstacles the team has developed a game long jump and 100 meter sprint. When Ms. Johnston plays them, the three sensors on his body to tell the computer how fast his feet moving. It calculates the speed here, and how she shops.

They came to play their dance, melodrama. Ms. Johnston, in her final year degree students, number of copies of Michael Jackson is in possession of the picture. This game uses four hours sensors tell it to your computer if your body is the correct position. If it takes the right bag, with colored stars appear.

In the dark computer lab at Carleton University, Hannah Johnston prepares to tackle obstacles.

In the 22-year-old is wearing jeans - no Athletic gear - and three small sensors are clipped to the body: one of her hip and one for each foot. She returned to her socks, she expects the game to start the computer.

Anthony Whitehead, assistant professor in the School of Information Technology has arranged his laptop with projector.

Since the Rocky theme fills the room, Mrs.. Johnston of the event, a comic that presents obstacles here, the screen displayed on the screen and began to work down the track.

Ms. Johnston begins sprinting on the spot. The first hurdle approaches and leap into the air, but is not very high. Her avatar crashes - not once but 10 times in a row. For the second time he plays, he makes more than an obstacle.

"He gets to dress," she said. "It's different from sitting at a computer."

Not many computer scientists have developed sweat designing new programs, but Dr. Whitehead, Ms.. Johnston and several other students trying to improve its video games and the players move.