Children's Use of Electronic Games: Choices of Game Mode and Challenge Levels

Jessica W K Lam,Thomas L Mckenzie,Cindy H P Sit

doi:10.1155/2010/218586

Abstract

Introduction. Interactive electronic games are popular and are believed to contribute to physical activity accrual. The purpose of this study was to examine children's electronic game use during conditions in which they had free access to selecting interactive and seated screen-based versions of electronic games and during the interactive versions had free choice in making adjustments to the activity intensity. Methods. We systematically observed 60 Hong Kong primary school children during two 60-minute game sessions while simultaneously recording their game mode choices and physical activity levels using SOFIT (System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time). Results. When given free choice, children spent more than half of their available time participating in interactive versions of games. These versions of games provided significantly more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and greater energy expenditure than the computer screen versions. Children with the opportunity to modify intensity levels spent more time playing the interactive versions and accrued more physical activity. Conclusions. The tenets of behavioral choice theory were supported. Access to new-generation interactive games, particularly those with modifiable intensity levels, may facilitate children's participation in physical activity.

Highlights

Interactive electronic games are popular and are believed to contribute to physical activity accrual
Consistent with an earlier study by Sit et al [22], when given free choice, children spent about 95% of each allocated hour session playing games. They chose to spend over half their time playing interactive games over more sedentary, computer screen versions
Children in the adjustable intensity level group, who had free access to modifying levels of challenge/intensity in interactive games, spent more time playing the interactive versions of games than those in the fixed intensity level group

Summary

Introduction

Interactive electronic games are popular and are believed to contribute to physical activity accrual. Children spent more than half of their available time participating in interactive versions of games. These versions of games provided significantly more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and greater energy expenditure than the computer screen versions. Nonoverweight children have been shown to be more willing to play an interactive dance game [13] These studies, have typically assessed children’s physical activity levels during short-time periods (e.g., 15 minutes per game segment), and without participants having a choice of the interactive or more sedentary computer screen-based versions of the same game

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Conclusion