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Emerging research from Illinois Tech explores how active video games leverage intrinsic motivation to promote physical activity, offering a powerful new avenue for public health initiatives.
Official canonical publication: krizek.tech
The perception of video games as purely recreational or sedentary pursuits is being challenged by emerging research. Arlen Moller, Associate Professor of Psychology at the Illinois Institute of Technology, is at the forefront of this movement, investigating how active video games (AVGs) can serve as potent tools for enhancing public health and promoting physical activity.
Moller's work, detailed in two recent papers published in *Journal of Medical Internet Research* and *Digital Health*, systematically reviews a wealth of studies on AVGs. These games, often featuring popular platforms like the Nintendo Wii and PlayStation Kinect, are analyzed through the lens of motivation science. Moller posits that the intrinsic motivation driving billions of people to play games is the key to their potential as health interventions.
"I see the world through the lens of a motivation scientist," Moller explains. "So when I analyze games, I often think of them as a tool for promoting intrinsic motivation." This intrinsic reward, where the activity itself is the primary driver, is what distinguishes 'play' from 'work' and is fundamental to understanding why people engage with video games for extended periods.
The systematic review led by Moller revealed a strong correlation: AVGs that successfully tap into gamers' intrinsic motivation also tend to lead to increased levels of physical activity. This finding is particularly significant in an era marked by growing concerns over physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyles globally.
The sheer scale of the video game industry, valued at $213 billion in 2022, underscores the immense potential for AVGs. Even as a smaller segment, the AVG market generates billions annually. Moller emphasizes that this vast reach makes AVGs a uniquely promising avenue for countering the public health crisis of inactivity.
Moller advocates for stronger collaboration between academia and game publishers. While major companies like Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony primarily focus on entertainment and profit, partnerships with universities could facilitate research into the public health benefits of their products. This synergy could allow publishers to outsource research and simultaneously enhance the health impact of their games.
The influence of AVGs extends beyond traditional console gaming. Advancements in virtual reality (VR), with titles like *BeatSaber* and *SuperNatural*, and the increasing adoption of gamification in exercise equipment and wearable technology highlight this trend. Companies like Peloton are integrating game-like mechanics, such as in their *Lanebreak* title, demonstrating a growing recognition of gaming's motivational power.
Wearable activity monitors, such as Apple Watches and Fitbits, offer exciting possibilities for the future of AVGs. The integration of personal fitness data with gaming platforms, whether synchronously or asynchronously, could create more personalized and effective health interventions, further boosting the impact of AVGs.
Moller believes the potential applications of game design and research extend far beyond health. From improving education to addressing climate change, the principles of engagement and motivation inherent in video games can be harnessed to tackle complex societal challenges. "Video games are sometimes unfairly stereotyped as a trivial pursuit," he notes, "but that’s a misperception in a couple of ways." By seriously considering the billions of hours humans spend engaging with games, we can leverage this commitment to foster happier, healthier lives.
Source Insight: This report was curated based on original coverage from iit.edu.
Source: iit.edu