There are several games on the market now where the player stands, moves and even dances. According to a new study in the journal, Pediatric Exercise Science, some of these games give kids as much exercise as walking, skipping and jogging.

“How do you get kids more active? That’s the basic line here, isn’t it?” And this is another spin on that, which isn’t the ultimate answer,” says Dr. Etty Griffin, M.D., orthopedic surgeon.

Experts say parents need to be careful: some “stand up” games are little more than that, just standing, and don’t provide much exercise at all. A better choice is to encourage kids to get outside and invent their own games and get some vigorous exercise.

Tips for Parents

• If you want active kids, be active yourself. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park the car farther away from your destination. Talk about physical activity as an opportunity to take care of your body, rather than a punishment or a chore. (Mayo Clinic)
• If your children play video games, opt for those that require movement. Activity-oriented video games — such as dance video games and video games that use a player’s physical movements to control what happens on the screen — boost a child’s calorie-burning power. (Mayo Clinic)
• Thanks to the new technology, gamers can now play a baseball video game, tennis and bowling by actually standing up and going through the motions required to pitch, hit, bowl, server, volley, etc. With these games, Nintendo has created “virtual physicality.”
• Incorporating physical activity into your children’s lives does much more than promote a healthy weight, it sets the foundation for a lifetime of fitness and good health,” says Edward Laskowski, M.D., a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation, and co-director of the Sports Medicine Center at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Joliet Central High School

Last week a flyer concerning testing and registration was sent home in the Thursday envelopes. This is a reminder that Joliet Central
High School will have registration on this Saturday, January 19 th from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

If you missed taking the test this will be the last day to do so. Call the high school for time and where the test will be given.

St. Mary Nativity Basketball Schedule

The following g is the remaining home basketball schedule for 2007-2008. On Saturday, January 19, 2008 .

9 a.m. 6 th grade boys
10a.m. 7 th grade boys
11a.m. 8 th grade girls
noon 8 th grade boys