All middle schools in West Virginia will be implementing the use of Dance Dance Revolution video games in their physical education programs. This follows the success of a pilot program that tested the exercise benefits of DDR in 20 schools during the spring of 05.

West Virginia is ranked among the United States' top three regions for obesity, with over one-third of the population classified in the aforementioned weight class. Physical education instructors see DDR as a means of inspiring otherwise indolent adolescents to adopt a more active lifestyle. Each setup will consist of an unnamed video game console, software, and two dance pads. West Virginia school administrators would like to roll the program out to all 753 public schools by 2009.

Not likely to be used in DDR gym classes is the Finger Dance Pad, a recently introduced peripheral accessory that eliminates dance pads in lieu of an input device commanded by thumb power.

Via (Yahoo)