Why Exergames Could Improve Kids' Physical Health?

Disha Jain Sep 06, 2021

According to World Health Organization (WHO), physical activities such as cycling, doing sports, wheeling, are keys to a healthy and long-lasting life. Due to the epidemic of COVID-19, such activities had taken a back seat in an individual life. Not only adults but also kids are affected by it.

American Academy of Pediatrics highlighted that there is an increment in child cases exponentially, with over a five-fold increase in the past month. There are about 38,000 cases in the week ending 22nd July to about 2,04,000 past weeks. By analyzing this data, it can be concluded that the kids are also being affected by it.

A kid must be physically, mentally and socially be fit and fine. It is possible by involving them in physical activities. Physical activities improve bone health, cognitive outcomes, mental health and cardiometabolic health.

So, to find how physical activities could be inculcated in kids a review study had been conducted by the University of Birmingham which says that physical activity among children can be improved by well-designed and online applications such as exergames’ and various smartphone applications in kids' physical health. It improves activity levels, motivations, attitudes of children towards physical activities.

The findings of the review study were published in the journal, 'Physical and Sport Pedagogy.’

Let us discover some more interesting facts about exergames and its related study.

What is exergaming?

These are the combination of exercises involving electronic games. These are those online games that involve more and more physical involvement online to be physically, mentally and socially fit. These are full of fun learning and engage children to exercise frequently.

Due to online learning trends, these games are beneficial for kids to improve their overall physical health. It helps to improve kid’s coordination power and body movements. Also, it reduces the stress levels in kids as they are a perfect way to have fun and relieve stress. Kid’s aerobic workout while playing, and exergaming improves their cardiovascular system as well.

What is this study?

The children and young people showed positive outcomes to various lessons of Physical Education (PE) lessons that are delivered through games or some personalized activities. It is the first study to closely observe online interventions in the physical activities, behaviors of children and young groups. Also, it analyses the outcomes of various digital mediums on physical activity knowledge, social advancements and enhancing mental health.

Analysis

It is observed that about 26 studies had been analyzed by the authors of online interventions for physical activity. They found that three mechanisms are involved in your work. It includes gamification, personalization and information.

The gamification encompasses the participants progressed through various levels of achievement; personalization covers the participants obtained tailored feedback and rewards based on their performance while the information participants are those receiving educational material or guidance for encouraging behavioral change.

According to this review study, most of them were focused on gamification or personalization. It had been found that about 70 percent reported an increment/improvement in the outcomes related to physical activities for young people or kids who actively engaged in online interventions. Primary school children who had participated in PE lessons are observed as of prime beneficiaries.

Dr Victoria Goodyear, the leading author in the University of Birmingham's School of Sport stated, “The team had found enough pieces of evidence for PE teachers that can be used in online learning to boost the attitudes and participation of children and kids in physical activities, particularly in primary age group.”

Dr Natalie D Muth, a co-author of clinical report and a pediatrician of California stated, “Currently almost every pediatrician recommends children to get 60 minutes per day of physical activity. It has been noted that this is not at all provided as a prescription for kids. Also, it is vital to consider physical activity as a routine part for treating various ailments in kids.”

Dr David Fagan, Vice Chairperson of the Pediatrics Department of Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park, New York exclaimed, “Physical activities are compromised by a push towards more of academic subjects. Although we all are aware that physical activities in the school day improves concentration and attention, improves academic performance, improves behavior and helps children and adolescents adopt habits for lifelong health.”

Summing up all

There is an urgent need to improve physical health in kids to prepare them for pandemic situations. Rising cases of the child is an alarming truth and need to be focused on by every parent. Exergames are the best alternative to make your kids happy and physically fit.