Forty-one kindergarten students at Fort Belvoir's Markham School Age Center engaged in a unique fitness and endurance-building exercise Feb. 11, during a Wii Fit session, an interactive program in which participants run a virtual cross-country race using a Wii video game entertainment center.
The students run in place while cartoonlike characters mimic their motions and cover distances on the television screen. The machine keeps track of speed and calories burned while prompting the runners to pick up the pace to catch the "race guide" or to slow down in order to conserve energy.
Belvoir Child, Youth and School Services Assistant Health and Fitness Director, Julie Libert, designed the activity to introduce the benefits of regular exercise and leading an active lifestyle to children at an early age.
Libert said the cross-country race is one of many virtual activities the children participate in, all of which contribute to an increase in overall fitness.
"They also have soccer, hula hoop, basic step, golf, ski jumping and balance ball," she said. "Along with that we have mats so we can do yoga; we have all kinds of yoga exercises we do."
Libert also said the Wii Fit program is brand new for this year, an activity she added to the Markham SAC's traditional fitness promotions, beyond the annual President's Physical Fitness competition in which many of her students also participate.
"The Wii system is something we added ourselves (to bring in something new)," she said.
Ten students competed in the cross-country race for each "heat" and said the exercise was tough but fun.
"It was fun. This is my second time doing it and I really like it because next year I'm doing track," said Alissa Martin, 5.
"It's hard; I'm all out of breath," added Kendall Spears, also 5. "I had a really good time, and when we run I really like it and I want to play again. Running is my favorite ... and soccer."
For student Evan McConnaugh, 5, the Wii Fit program provides an opportunity to do something that involves his favorite activity -- moving fast.
"I like running, and I also have an exercise game I play with skateboarding," he said.
For more information regarding CYSS's many fitness activities for children contact Libert at (703) 805-9138.
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