Gamification of exercise is good for us, says science

IS IT TIME TO REINSTALL POKÉMON GO ON OUR PHONES?

Pokémon GO was the augmented-reality phenomenon that got millions of people moving (some far out of their comfort zones), making them fitter and healthier. So a team of American researchers decided to find out if gamification of exercise was a better incentive to get people to live better lifestyles, specifically families. In a randomised trial conducted over three months — which was followed by a three-month observation period — researchers measured step counts of 200 people from 94 families, with some participants earning points and ‘levelling up’. And coming as no surprise to most gamers, the reward made those select participants clock more steps than those who couldn’t rack up points. Unfortunately, the enthusiasm was short lived, yet the researchers feel that gamification of exercise might be the most promising approach to changing people’s health choices.

A TEAM OF AMERICAN RESEARCHERS DECIDED TO FIND OUT IF GAMIFICATION OF EXERCISE WAS A BETTER INCENTIVE TO GET PEOPLE TO LIVE BETTER LIFESTYLES.