With all that bad press (and great marketing) that Nintendo’s latest console has received via the “Wii Elbow” phenomenon, there’s good news on the way.  Enter Mickey DeLorenzo, a 25 year old Philly guy who has combined exercise and Wii Sports to lose nine pounds over a six week period.  You might consider him the gaming edition of Jared.

DeLorenzo first announced his “Wii Sports Experiment” over fan site WiiNintendo.net back in the early days of December.  His plan included nothing extraordinary; DeLorenzo continued to eat as he normally would, workout as he always had, and simply add 30 minutes of Wii Sports to his everyday routine for the six week period.

In addition, DeLorenzo kept a number of vital statistics.  He recorded weight, body mass index, calories burned, body fat percentage, heart rate, and notes on soreness each day. 

The results are exciting, and good news for Wii owners.  DeLorenzo dropped those nine pounds, and in doing so reduced his body mass index from 25.2 to 24.0.  His most dramatic improvement may have been around his waist, where he reduced belly flubber and progressed from a 34.6” measurement to just 31”.

In addition, DeLorenzo recorded the calories burned by each Wii Sports title.  He found boxing to be the clear winner (burning 125 calories over an average 15 minute period), with tennis a close second.  Bowling was the least effective.

Having spent some serious time with Wii Sports, I can say the results are a bit startling.  Little about the game – aside from boxing, which is indeed a moderate workout – truly challenges one like a run or cycling session.  However, for those gamers who can keep the Wiimote firmly in their hand and away from fragile bones and property, DeLorenzo’s study is proof that physical gaming can be both fun and rewarding.