Abstract
Previous physical activity interventions have failed to create population change and an alternative approach is needed to support a World Health Organization target of a 15% reduction in global levels of inactivity by 2030. There is growing evidence that gamification-based interventions can reach substantial portions of the community. However, to date, these studies have been predominantly quantitative and as such there is a paucity of research in the area on motivations and barriers to engagement with these programs. Four focus groups conducted with N = 26 players who participated in a gamification-based intervention ‘Beat the Street’ revealed several varied motives to engagement, including collective reward; social influence; game reinvention; exploration; accessibility and awareness. However, several barriers specific to the Beat the Street intervention and outdoor gamification interventions more generally were also identified. This study provides novel insight into the motives which engage individuals into physical activity interventions and the design principles which need to be considered when implementing interventions of this nature.
Highlights
Despite significant investment in physical activity interventions over the past 20 years, a recent study concluded that 27.5% of adults were insufficiently active, globally, and that levels of inactivity in high-income western countries had increased by over 5% between 2001 and 2016. [1,2] Physical inactivity is attributable to an estimated 5.3 million deaths globally each year
As a response to the gap in the current literature, this study aimed to identify why participants engaged with the intervention, and the barriers to participation they encountered during a community-wide gamification-based physical activity intervention, ‘Beat the Street’
Through the process of thematic analysis, [23] seven themes were identified in the data relating to engagement and barriers to participation
Summary
Despite significant investment in physical activity interventions over the past 20 years, a recent study concluded that 27.5% of adults were insufficiently active, globally, and that levels of inactivity in high-income western countries had increased by over 5% between 2001 and 2016. [1,2] Physical inactivity is attributable to an estimated 5.3 million deaths globally each year. [3] In England, population level data indicates that 24.8% of adults and 29.0% of children are insufficiently active. [4,5] Further, there are significant and deep-rooted differences in activity levels among different population cohorts. Despite significant investment in physical activity interventions over the past 20 years, a recent study concluded that 27.5% of adults were insufficiently active, globally, and that levels of inactivity in high-income western countries had increased by over 5% between 2001 and 2016. [3] In England, population level data indicates that 24.8% of adults and 29.0% of children are insufficiently active. [4] In view of this international concern, the World Health Organization published a Global Action Plan on Physical Activity with an agreed mission to reduce adult and adolescent inactivity levels by 15% from a 2016 baseline, by 2030. The funders had no further role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
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