7:30am Saturday 23rd February 2008
By Echo Reporter
THEY have been blamed for causing child obesity by creating a nation of couch potatoes but children in Southampton can now get the benefits from a gadget that helps them to keep fit while they play their favourite games.
The keep-fit gaming technology is hoping to boost exercise in young people with step and cycle pedals which only allow gamers to play the consoles while they are moving.
When they stop using their feet to move the gadgets which plug into the consoles, the game automatically pauses.
Young games fans were given a sporting introduction to the new gadget as they joined Saints player Nathan Dyer - pictured right and with the youngsters above - at Chamberlayne Leisure Centre in Weston, Southampton.
The speedy winger put the Gamercize products, that need players to keep moving while they play computer games, through their paces.
Nathan said "You can see how it could help a lot of young people who like to play computer games. I play these games and especially like the football ones. Kids spend hours on these games consoles without getting any exercise and this does keep you moving."
The GZ Pro-Sport model of the Gamercize system is now compatible with the latest games consoles and was unveiled by Southampton Football Club as part of the city council's Active Southampton campaign.
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