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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #295416
Title: Disentangling fun and enjoyment in exergames using an expanded design, play, experience framework: A narrative review

Author
item MELLECKER, ROBIN - University Of Hong Kong
item LYONS, ELIZABETH - University Of Texas Medical Branch
item BARANOWSKI, TOM - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)

Submitted to: The Games for Health Journal: Research, Development, and Clinical Applications
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/16/2013
Publication Date: 6/1/2013
Citation: Mellecker, R., Lyons, E.J., Baranowski, T. 2013. Disentangling fun and enjoyment in exergames using an expanded design, play, experience framework: A narrative review. The Games for Health Journal: Research, Development, and Clinical Applications. 2(3):142-149.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: With exergames (as with physical activity in general), more intense and longer-duration game play should accrue more health benefits. Exergames, however, appear to be played for relatively short durations, often at medium or lower intensities. Ostensibly games are played for fun or enjoyment. Enhancing the fun or enjoyment experienced during exergame play should enhance the intensity and duration of physical activity, and thereby the health benefits. Research, reviewed herein, indicates fun and/or enjoyment in games are inherently laden with psychosocial, physiological, and embodiment substrates. Physical activity may also have separate or closely related psychosocial, physiological, and embodiment enjoyment substrates. Research is needed to integrate these levels of experience and to identify the game mechanics that enhance, and even maximize, the fun or enjoyment experienced in exergames, to thereby increase the health benefit.