The American Heart Association and Nintendo announced today that they have formed a partnership to work together on multiple fronts to help people discover how active-play video games can contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Here’s Clyde Yancy, MD, president of the American Heart Association, talking about the groundbreaking deal:
“Our two organizations come from different worlds, but we share a common goal. Showing people accessible ways to stay active has been a part of our mission for decades, but our research tells us nearly 70 percent of Americans are getting no regular physical activity. As an organization we are looking for ways to change this. Nintendo has demonstrated clear leadership in active-play video games with the popularity of the Wii system, and I’m confident that together we can encourage Americans to become more physically active.”
Starting this summer, you can expect to see the familiar American Heart Association logo on Wii Fit Plus and Wii Sports Resort packaging, as well as on that of the Wii system. Nintendo and the AHA have also launched an impressive online information centre at www.activeplaynow.com, where visitors can read about the benefits of physically active play, conduct personal assessments and learn more about living a more physically active lifestyle.
Later this year, Nintendo and the AHA will also convene a multidisciplinary summit of representatives from areas such as science, health care, research, physical activity, fitness and video gaming, with the aim of bringing together thought leaders, each with a unique perspective, to take a closer look at the synergies and potential benefits of active-play video games and physically active lifestyles.
