Tuomas Kari

Can Exergaming Promote Physical Fitness and Physical Activity?: A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews

This systematic review of systematic reviews evaluates the effectiveness of exergaming on physical fitness and physical activity. A systematic literature search was conducted on 10 databases, and 1040 articles were identified. Sixty-eight articles were found potentially relevant and were selected for closer screening. Cross-referencing was conducted to find other potentially relevant articles. The quality of all relevant articles was evaluated using the AMSTAR tool. After all the duplicates were removed and inclusion, exclusion, and quality criteria were implemented, six articles remained for review. The results indicate that exergaming is generally enjoyed and can evoke some benefits for physical fitness and physical activity, but the current evidence does not support the ability of exergaming to increase physical fitness or physical activity levels sufficiently for significant health benefits. This systematic review also revealed several gaps in previous research. Additional high-quality research and systematic reviews concerning exergaming are needed.

Behavior change types with Pokémon GO

Digital games are one of the most popular entertainment media in the world. Their allure and widespread popularity makes them an interesting and highly potential platform for behavior change attempts. In this paper, we investigate what types of behavior changes Pokémon GO has promoted or induced among its players. The study is based on an online survey sample of 262 Pokémon GO players, collected using the critical incident technique and analyzed using qualitative methods. The analysis shows that the behavior changes induced by Pokémon GO are not just restricted to increased physical activity or social behavior but are actually much more multifaceted: players were more social, found their routines more meaningful, expressed more positive emotions, and were more motivated to explore their surroundings.

Can Sport and Wellness Technology be My Personal Trainer? : Teenagers and Digital Coaching

The attention towards digital coaching solutions has increased among users of sport and wellness technologies, the related industry, the healthcare and wellness sector, and among scholars. However, as the commercial digital coaching solutions are rather novel, the number of studies about their influence or the usage experiences is still rather limited. Another topic that is lacking research is the relationship of teenagers and sport and wellness technology. Since using the internet and technological devices on a daily basis has become the norm for teenagers, it is worth paying attention to how technology could be developed in order to better motivate them towards a healthier lifestyle. The purpose of this study was to find out the perceptions of teenagers regarding sport and wellness technology and especially of digital coaching. According to the findings, teenagers perceive digital coaching positively. They prefer instructional guidance and advice especially related to physical activity and nutrition.

Towards Experiencing Eating as a Form of Play

There is an increasing trend in interaction design to engage with food. We note that most prior work targets instrumental benefits (for example see food tracking apps to manage nutritional intake). In contrast, in this article, we highlight the potential of technology to support eating as a form of play. We reflect on our own work to articulate two design strategies for game designers on how they can facilitate playful eating experiences using novel technologies. Ultimately, with our work, we aim to facilitate a more playful engagement around the way we eat.

Activity Trackers Influencing Motivation and Awareness: Study Among Fitness Centre Members

Consumer fitness technology products are becoming increasingly popular. This leads to interesting questions about the influence of activity trackers on a person’s motivation to exercise. This study explored the role of activity trackers in motivating fitness centre members towards exercising and in increasing their awareness regarding their own health and physical activity. The study included 100 fitness centre members divided into a test group and a control group and three sub-groups: OLD, NEW, and personal trainer (PT) members. The focus was on gym visit frequency during a 10-week test period and on tracking the consistency of activity levels. Participants also completed a pre and post study questionnaire assessing changes in their health and physical activity awareness. The results suggest that an activity tracker does not significantly influence fitness centre members’ gym attendance or overall physical activity levels. Group comparisons reveal no statistically significant differences between groups, but observations of the descriptive statistics indicated that an activity tracker can bring some inspiration and other benefits, especially for PT clients and people who are just starting their new more physically active lifestyle. Using an activity tracker increased participants’ perceived awareness of their own wellbeing, daily sitting time, and amount of sleep.

The expected and perceived well-being effects of short-term self-tracking technology use

Individuals and the healthcare sector have become increasingly interested to measure and improve health and well-being by using different self-tracking technologies. Physical activity, nutrition, and sleep are a few of the various measures that can be self-tracked by different technological solutions. This study investigates the expected and perceived well-being effects of short-term self-tracking technology use with focus on the implementation phase. The study is based on thematic analysis of ten semi-structured interviews. The results reveal that the perceived well-being effects of using a self-tracking technology are relatively minor during the implementation phase - in line with the pre-implementation expectations. The possible increase in well-being is expected to occur in a longer time scale. Perceived psychological well-being is found to be affected the most during the implementation phase. The results also reveal interesting findings regarding the use and acceptance of self-tracking technologies. Based on the results, theoretical and practical implications are presented.