EPTVideo gamers are surprisingly fit, says study
Health and games
Still, players scored well on physical health compared to the rest of the nation. They reported exercising vigorously once or twice a week, as opposed to 62 percent of American adults who don't exercise for more than 10 minutes at any time.
Players were also 10 percent leaner than the average American, according to their height and weight reports. Williams and his colleagues used the same self-report questions used in common national health surveys.
Unfortunately, mental health was another matter. "EverQuest II" players were 50 percent more likely than the average American to have been diagnosed with depression, and reported a 20 percent higher rate of substance addiction. However, the researchers said the survey could not tell if depressed or addicted people were simply more drawn to such games to begin with, rather than the game causing ill mental health.
Still, players scored well on physical health compared to the rest of the nation. They reported exercising vigorously once or twice a week, as opposed to 62 percent of American adults who don't exercise for more than 10 minutes at any time.
Players were also 10 percent leaner than the average American, according to their height and weight reports. Williams and his colleagues used the same self-report questions used in common national health surveys.
Unfortunately, mental health was another matter. "EverQuest II" players were 50 percent more likely than the average American to have been diagnosed with depression, and reported a 20 percent higher rate of substance addiction. However, the researchers said the survey could not tell if depressed or addicted people were simply more drawn to such games to begin with, rather than the game causing ill mental health.
As you know from my previous blog, I think of life as an RPG. But don't you think the gym is even moreso an RPG? You have all these different objectives - Chest/Triceps, Back/Biceps, Legs/Shoulders and you want to increase the weights or reps or speed or endurance each time you go.
I love the weight room. I love dumbbell bench presses most of all. Yesterday, I graduated to the "big boy" dumbells. The light weights go from 5 to 15 and the heavier weights go from 15 to the heaviest it gets in the gym (45 or 60 or 100 or whatever, I am not sure). I usually do the bench presses with 10s or 12s but I managed to do 3 sets of 14-15 with 15 lb weights using the heavier weights ^_^. It felt great. I just hope to keep it up!
Here is my exercise routine:
Monday - Strength 30 min /Cardio (Hip Hop/Elliptical/Treadmill) 1 hr
Tuesday - Flexibility (Pilates/Stretching)
Wednesday - Strength 30 min/Cardio 20 min
Thursday - Strength 30 min (if no Strength on Fri)/Cardio 20 min (Elliptical/Treadmill/Breakdancing)
Friday - Strength 30 min - or - Rest
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - Flexibility (Contemporary/Ballet)
What is your exercise routine?
I am used to doing the strength exercises and I am most consistent with those. I really dislike cardio but I am pushing myself to do more of that. It's fun when a dance class is involved but I don't like the stair master/elliptical/treadmill very much. Flexibility is something I need to get more into considering I can no longer do the splits and I miss it. Plus, having done research on fitness, it seems like it is an essential part that I tend to skip out on.
Link: http://exercise.about.com/cs/exbeginners/a/exbasics_2.htm
Cardio:
* 20-60 minutes of continuous or short-bout exercise
* 3-5 days a week
* Working between 77% and 90% of your maximum heart rate
* Varying the intensity, time and type of your workouts
Strength:
* Choose 8-10 exercises, targeting the major muscle groups (lower body, chest, back, shoulders, biceps, triceps and abs)
* For beginners, do one set of 8-16 reps of each exercise to fatigue. More advanced exercisers can do 2-3 sets.
* Train each muscle group 2-3 non-consecutive days a week
* Work each exercise through its full range of motion and use good form
Flexibility:
* Stretch your muscles when they're warm (after your warm up or, even better, after your workout)
* Do static stretches with a focus on tight areas such as the hamstrings and lower back
* Stretch a minimum of 2-3 days a week...even better would be every day
* Stretch within your range of motion. Stretching shouldn't hurt.
* Hold each stretch for about 15-30 seconds and do 2-4 reps of each stretch
* 20-60 minutes of continuous or short-bout exercise
* 3-5 days a week
* Working between 77% and 90% of your maximum heart rate
* Varying the intensity, time and type of your workouts
Strength:
* Choose 8-10 exercises, targeting the major muscle groups (lower body, chest, back, shoulders, biceps, triceps and abs)
* For beginners, do one set of 8-16 reps of each exercise to fatigue. More advanced exercisers can do 2-3 sets.
* Train each muscle group 2-3 non-consecutive days a week
* Work each exercise through its full range of motion and use good form
Flexibility:
* Stretch your muscles when they're warm (after your warm up or, even better, after your workout)
* Do static stretches with a focus on tight areas such as the hamstrings and lower back
* Stretch a minimum of 2-3 days a week...even better would be every day
* Stretch within your range of motion. Stretching shouldn't hurt.
* Hold each stretch for about 15-30 seconds and do 2-4 reps of each stretch
![[image loading]](http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/3817/kruemelmonsteryn0.gif)
