Pilot program between Ubisoft and AAHPERD showed great results with gaming integrated into physical education curriculum in 16 States.
Teachers monitored the impact the games had on enthusiasm levels, participation rates, heart rate, and more. Key findings from the program include:
On average, students reached 56 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) using Just Dance (during 90-minute class periods)
96.8 percent of teachers believe that Just Dance has the potential to improve fitness levels of their students
93.5 percent of the teachers plan to continue using Just Dance as part of their curricula
More than 90 percent of the students in the pilot “liked” or “strongly liked” the game
Last year, Just Dance 4 was the No. 5 selling video game and the No. 2 selling Christmas video game in the US. With the game already in millions of homes, the pilot builds on Ubisoft’s interest in continuing to make Just Dance accessible to everyone interested in active gaming.
“The pilot results prove that Just Dance gets kids of all ages excited, engaged and dancing – what we like to call exercise in disguise,” said Tony Key, U.S. senior vice president of sales and marketing, Ubisoft. “As we’ve always believed, when Just Dance 4 is coupled with smart eating habits and more traditional exercise, the game can contribute to a well-rounded and healthy lifestyle.”
“The data demonstrates that Just Dance is a positive intervention towards students achieving moderate to vigorous physical activity,” said Andrew Mead, the NASPE Program Manager who helped lead the pilot.
Ubisoft plans to continue the program during the fall 2013 semester with select schools around the country.
