Efficient and effective change principles in active videogames

Straker, L. M., Fenner, A. A., Howie, E. K., Feltz, D. L., Gray, C. M. , Lu, A. S., Mueller, F. “F.”, Simons, M. and Barnett, L. M. (2015) Efficient and effective change principles in active videogames. Games for Health Journal, 4(1), pp. 43-52. (doi: 10.1089/g4h.2014.0077)

Abstract

Active videogames have the potential to enhance population levels of physical activity but have not been successful in achieving this aim to date. This article considers a range of principles that may be important to the design of effective and efficient active videogames from diverse discipline areas, including behavioral sciences (health behavior change, motor learning, and serious games), business production (marketing and sales), and technology engineering and design (human–computer interaction/ergonomics and flow). Both direct and indirect pathways to impact on population levels of habitual physical activity are proposed, along with the concept of a game use lifecycle. Examples of current active and sedentary electronic games are used to understand how such principles may be applied. Furthermore, limitations of the current usage of theoretical principles are discussed. A suggested list of principles for best practice in active videogame design is proposed along with suggested research ideas to inform practice to enhance physical activity.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Gray, Professor Cindy
• Authors: Straker, L. M., Fenner, A. A., Howie, E. K., Feltz, D. L., Gray, C. M., Lu, A. S., Mueller, F. “F.”, Simons, M., and Barnett, L. M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Social Scientists working in Health and Wellbeing; College of Social Sciences; College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Sociology Anthropology and Applied Social Sciences
• Journal Name: Games for Health Journal
• Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Publishers
• ISSN: 2161-783X
• ISSN (Online): 2161-7856