A latest study initiated in America discovered that playing Wii Sports could assist in fighting from subsyndromal depression (SSD), a mental disorder characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity in senior adults.

Research at the Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine has recommended a path for improving the symptoms of subsyndromal depression (SSD) in seniors via regular use of ‘exergames’ – entertaining video games that combine game play with exercise.

The researchers have discovered that use of exergames significantly improved mood and mental health-related quality of life in older adults suffering with SSD.

"Depression predicts nonadherence to physical activity, and that is a key barrier to most exercise programs", Jeste said. "Older adults with depression may be at particular risk for diminished enjoyment of physical activity, and therefore, more likely to stop exercise programs prematurely".

As a part of the study, scientists looked at 19 elderly aged between 63 to 94 years who played Nintendo Wii video games for 35 minutes, thrice a week.