Playing video games is not usually considered to be a healthy activity, but a new generation of games is expected to change the negative reputation.

Researchers are using video game technology for everything from cancer treatment to weight loss, Local 4 reported. But they are not typical video games.

"We can give you a game where your entire body is in the game and we can actually ask you to move, and move not just slightly, but very vigorously," said Ben Sawyer, a representative of Games For Health.

And the games are not just for children. They can help adults with weight loss or physical therapy.

"The focus of the technology is to draw people into the experience and what we'd like to do is to actually use that concept so people will enjoy their exercises or actually be more compliant with their exercise programs," said Dr. Mark Weiderhold of the Virtual Reality Medical Center.

There are also games to help children fight cancer, and programs to help patients conquer their fears, Local 4 reported. One game gradually exposes people who have a fear of flying to a virtual airplane.

Designers are also working on games that help to train real-life heroes, such as a nurse running around a hospital saving patients, in lieu of traditional games of a knight battling evil forces in a castle.

Some games are available online or in stores. Some are still in their testing phase.