DDR - It's Not Just for Fun! It's Now Part of Phys Ed!

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Phys Ed... many of us who weren't the athletic kids remember it as being burdensome and the class that we perfected out alibis and pathetic excuses in; the class where we learned how to fake injuries and weasel out of less than desireable activities because the athletic kids ran circles around us. In fact, many of us rejoiced when we arrived in high school because it was no longer mandatory! No more running to the sound of the buzzer drills, no more playing sports we sucked at, no more getting balls thrown at us during dodge ball and no wondering why we are the last ones picked for anything.

For this reason, we've reached the peak at which the newer and younger generations are now experiencing the negative affects of no physical education. But, what is the solution? After all, there will always be people who hate the class and find creative ways of getting out of it. These people will still feel inadequate in the face of more athletic classmates who enjoy the class as an alternative to the more academic environment that requires them to sit still and attentively listen to the teacher's lecture.

But, there is one thing that is constant through the newer generations and that is the desire to play games. Many of us wither away many hours in front of our gaming consoles and computers playing mindless games which usually don't result in better physical conditions, in fact, popular working theory is that this has contributed to the development of a lethargic generation of children who have wider asses en masse.

Surprisingly, despite its harsh stance towards certain genres of games, the US, particularly California and West Virgina have decided to capitalise on the children's love for games in order to get the flabby asses in motion.

US pupils to dance themselves fit

Following a pilot project the video game Dance Dance Revolution will soon be installed in all the state's public schools.

The game involves a player moving their feet on a special mat to copy dance steps shown on screen.

Pupils aged 10-14 that do not like other sports will be able to take the game as an option for getting exercise.
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Prof Linda Carson, who runs a project to study the health benefits of playing DDR at West Virginia University's School of Physical Education, said children aged 10 - 14 were being targeted because it was during those years that lifelong attitudes to exercise were formed.

Some schools in California were the first to use DDR, but the West Virginian project is believed to be the largest of its type.

So, even if you've got the pleasure (or displeasure) of being born with 2-left feet, at least this is one way that physical education doesn't seem so bad. At least you're not forced to run and touch lines; race against the clock, have a ball thrown at your head or worry about keeping up when playing 'soccer'. Plus, it's actually fun and who can complain about being forced to have fun?