Chicago seniors compete in virtual bowling tournament in Illinois

The Wii gaming console has become a popular system among seniors who are looking to level the playing field in sports such as bowling and tennis. Because the Wii allows users to direct the characters on the screen with intuitive controllers and hand motions, they are much more age-friendly than other devices. 


Seniors at the Heritage Woods Assisted Living Center in Chicago, Illinois, are already adept at using the Wii and are now getting ready for a virtual bowling competition that will kick off later this month and last for eight weeks.

The bowlers range in age from 71 to 95. Each team has four members.


"One of our teams is in the top three in the state," Heritage Woods coordinator Gracie Nebel told the news provider. "If they win, we will get them to Springfield for the final competition."


Experts suggest the benefits of the Wii and other similar game systems, like the Kinect, go far beyond entertainment. Some research has shown that older adults can stay active and even improve their balance if they regularly play motion-controlled video games.  


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