Abstract
Owing to increasing cases of sedentary lifestyles and their negative impact on health, practical solutions are needed to address the physical and mental wellbeing of citizens and to enhance their standard of living. Among the problems are premature mortality rates caused by physical inactivity, which leads to chronic diseases. Innovative solutions are needed to address many of the problems that we face as a society. Location-based games have been identified as effective solutions for increasing physical activity, enhancing social interaction, and exploration in urban environments. In this pilot study, we explore how to encourage active mobility (walking and cycling) through urban play by integrating technology into the built environment. We examined the usability of a web-based augmented reality application in providing interactive experience to users as they explored the urban environment looking for tasks. Overall, participants’ perceptions of the usability of the application were positive; they enjoyed how the application revealed the tasks at each location and all the checkpoints at the different locations had at least a couple of visitors. We present limitations and future research directions.
Highlights
Most of the world population living in urban areas continues to grow (United Nations, 2018)
According to World Health Organization (WHO), (n.d.), physical inactivity and sedentary behavior could partly be attributed to the effects of urbanization, which has led to detrimental factors such as increase in traffic, low air quality, and lack of recreational facilities
We examine the role of playful games in encouraging active mobility by using a web-based augmented reality application to provide an enjoyable and interactive experience while exploring an urban environment
Summary
Most of the world population living in urban areas continues to grow (United Nations, 2018). As the global population shifts to urban areas, there is an increased need for practical solutions to address the physical and mental wellbeing of citizens and to enhance the standard of living in urban environments. According to World Health Organization (WHO), (n.d.), physical inactivity and sedentary behavior could partly be attributed to the effects of urbanization, which has led to detrimental factors such as increase in traffic, low air quality, and lack of recreational facilities. Reversing mortality rates resulting from physical inactivity and other lifestyle-related behaviors could enhance the overall health and mental wellbeing of the population and save healthcare costs (Heath et al, 2006; Lee and Maheswaran, 2011). Digital interventions have transformed the sustainability, healthcare, and wellness sectors by enhancing users’
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