A Kansas State University researcher says that games like Nintendo's Wii Fit - which incorporate yoga, strength training, balance and aerobics - may be utilised as a promising tool to promote physical activities for people of all ages.

The suggestion given by David Dzewaltowski, professor and head of the department of kinesiology at K-State and director of the university's Community Health Institute, contrasts the belief that emerging technologies can create environments that require very little physical effort, and thus promote sedentary activities among people.

"I think there is a great potential to develop ways to promote physical activity through technology. Kids innately like to move, so I believe that there is a big future in games that use emerging technologies and require movement because the games will be enjoyed by children and also be more healthy than existing games," said Dzewaltowski.

In a commentary published in the journal Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, Dzewaltowski highlights the fact that Wii Fit has interactive games that require the player to physically move, which is better than nothing.

He says that the game uses a balance board and allows gamers to simulate challenges, such as snowboarding down a mountain.

"Anything that gets people to move more than they have in the past is positive, but if people are trying to replace physical activity that demands more movement with the Wii, then that will be negative," Dzewaltowski said.