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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #305065
Title: Building a better mousetrap (exergame) to increase youth physical activity

Author
item BARANOWSKI, TOM - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item MADDISON, RALPH - University Of Auckland
item MALONEY, ANN - University Of Massachusetts
item MEDINA, JR, ERNIE - Loma Linda University
item SIMONS, MONIQUE - Vu University Medical Center

Submitted to: The Games for Health Journal: Research, Development, and Clinical Applications
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/25/2014
Publication Date: 4/1/2014
Citation: Baranowski, T., Maddison, R., Maloney, A., Medina, Jr, E., Simons, M. 2014. Building a better mousetrap (exergame) to increase youth physical activity. The Games for Health Journal: Research, Development, and Clinical Applications. 3(2):72-76.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: While exergames have been demonstrated to induce moderate levels of physical activity (PA) if played as designed, there is conflicting evidence on use of exergaming leading to increased habitual PA. Exergames have increased PA in some home and school studies, but not others. Exergames have been used in community centers to good effect, but this has not generally been validated with research. PA from exergames may be enhanced by innovative use of sensors, "fun" enhancing procedures, tailored messaging, message framing, story or narrative, goal setting, feedback, and values-based messaging. Research is needed on PA-enhancing procedures employed within exergames for youth to provide a firmer foundation for the design and use of exergames in the future.