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An exergame is played on a video game system but requires the player to move their body to interact with a screen avatar engaged in a movement activity. There are three ways to engage an exergame: side-by-side with another person in the same room; individually (or in teams) versus a non-player character (NPC) generated by the gaming system; and remotely against another person. A single gaming console is capable of handling multiple players at once and systems can be connected over the internet to allow for remote, simultaneous play. This format allows for different levels of intensity which may encourage more participation.
Exergames have become an established part of the video game marketplace. A count of games on the Xbox 360 website revealed that 100 out of 156 games available for the gaming system are Kinect games that require or allow for physical movement. These games range in physical intensity from light to vigorous and have fitness values that run the gamut from entertaining play to serious fitness. Physical intensity is often measured in metabolic equivalents (METs). A MET is an approximation of the energy used while engaged in physical activity in relation to energy expenditure at rest (relative to oxygen consumption) (Jette, Sidney, & Glumchen, 1990). MET values at rest are 1.0 and activities that produce light physical intensity (PI) range from 2-3 METs, moderate PI range from 3-6 METs, and vigorous PI is greater than 6 METs (Ainsworth et al., 2011; World Health Organization, 2014). The Compendium of Physical Activities now lists exergames under conditioning. The Compendium lists exergames at 2.3 to 7.2 METs expended depending upon the type of exergame (Ainsworth et al., 2011). The plans of the founders of Atari are coming to fruition as video game players are encouraged to get up and move through exergames and in the process expending energy above resting. This has helped exergaming cross generational lines and may even help generations connect for play and increased interaction (Agmon, Perry, Phelan, Demiris & Nguyen, 2011; Davis, Larkin & Graves, 2002; Kahlbaugh, Carlson & Hauselta, 2011; Kooiman & Sheehan, 2014).
As exergames have grown in popularity researchers have studied the aspects of these games for their effect on those who use them. Exergames can help improve cognitive functions like visual motor skills and executive functioning (Davis et al., 2011; Kooiman, 2013; Staiano, Abraham & Calvert, 2012). Socially, exergamers report that they feel connected to their opponent or partner in both proximal and remote settings (Bianchi-Berthouze, Kim & Patel, 2007; Kooiman, 2013; Witherspoon & Manning, 2012). Exergame participants also report a high motivation to continue playing (Finkelstein et al., 2011; Kooiman & Sheehan, 2014b; Pasco, Bossard, Buche & Kermarrec, 2011). Heart rates for those who play exergames are often reported to increase to a moderate level of physical intensity (Foley & Maddison, 2010, Maddison et al., 2007; Mellecker and McManus, 2008; Ni Mhurchu et al., 2008; Straker & Abbott, 2007). With all the researched benefits for exergames more studies will follow as researchers go deeper and extend research into unrealized potential future uses and problems for this genre of video gaming.