According to the Navy Times the US Navy is considering using Wii Fit, Dance Dance Revolution, and similar games with Navy recruits. The idea has been suggested by the Navy's Surgeon General to address the problem of new recruits not being as physically fit when they join as recruits were in the past. With people living less active lives basic training is coming as a bit of a shock to the flabbly armed digital generation who find it hard to get started.



One of the most interesting things in the article relates to the number of bone fractures in new recruits unused to all the activity...



Something many people don't realise is that physical activity actually affects bone density and strength. It's one of the reasons astronauts have to exercise hard while in space, it helps reduce bone loss over long stays. If you regularly exercise, even if it is just gentle walking, it helps build strong bones. It seems shocking to me that we are getting so sedentary that this sort of thing can be a problem here on Earth.

I've heard of similar issues here in the UK, where the Army have been adding pre-basic training for less fit recruits so that they are not totally overwhelmed by it all. It's good that organisations like the Navy are recognising that systems like Wii Fit and Dance Dance Revolution can be a good way to encourage people to start getting fit, without shocking their body by plunging right in at the deep end. Many people criticise Wii Fit because they make the mistake of comparing it to working out in a gym, while missing the point that for many people that is simply a leap too far, and they need to gradually work up to that kind of serious exercise. Wii Fit and the like can be a great starting point.

One of the other problems I have read about is, interestingly enough, shoes. It appears that new recruits have been wearing soft shoes like trainers for so long that they have a great deal of trouble adjusting to the harder boots. There feet can't take it, or, perhaps, the recruits just think that they can't take it.

Wii Fit is a good a way of working people up to more strenuous exercise, but it is a shame that it is needed for this purpose.

Indeed, it's a sad reflection on how sedentary we have all become that even just the initial phases of basic training are too tough for people.

Not that I'm any better, I spend most of my day behind a desk, but at least I get to walk to work.