Making wellness fun.
The research on exercising and video games, also known as “exergaming”, has demonstrated the important health benefits of video game consoles to promote physical and cognitive activities. Bowling video games help relive an important pastime in a new way that keep people physically active, and socially-engaged—but don’t tell that to the players.
When the Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing (FPCIW) first introduced Nintendo Wii Bowling to its communities in 2009 as an innovative approach to using off-the-shelf technology, the program ignited a new and fun way to people get active, build camaraderie, and be part of something bigger. Front Porch communities including Carlsbad By The Sea, Claremont Manor, Kingsley Manor, Sunny View and Walnut Village created several teams that eventually joined a larger movement of players across the country called the National Senior League. Some of the teams such as the Walnut Village Wii Rangers and Wii Warriors went on to compete at the national level and win state titles.
In 2014, Aging2.0 Alliance gifted FPCIW an Xbox One console to promote video game bowling in senior communities. FPCIW has since helped create and facilitate virtual team competitions across affordable housing communities and senior centers such as Good Shepherd Manor, St. Barnabas Senior Services, and Front Porch retirement communities Kingsley Manor and Walnut Village. The enthusiasm with residents and staff has been high—and so has the trash talking.
Video game bowling isn’t just for kids—it’s about setting the stage for fun, and creating a story of engagement and wellness.
