Does it Promote Physical Activity? College Students’ Perceptions of Pokémon Go
The present study examined whether physical activity participation between Pokémon GO users was different from that of non-users. Participants’ perceptions of the game in terms of promoting physical activity were also evaluated. A total of 393 college students (Female=175, age M=19.03, SD=2.04) too...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Montenegrin Sports Academy
2020-02-01
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| Series: | Montenegrin Journal of Sports Science and Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.mjssm.me/clanci/MJSSM_March_2020_Yan_5-10.pdf |
| Summary: | The present study examined whether physical activity participation between Pokémon GO users was different from that of non-users. Participants’ perceptions of the game in terms of promoting physical
activity were also evaluated. A total of 393 college students (Female=175, age M=19.03, SD=2.04) took an online survey that measured user activity, perceptions on the game, and recalled physical activity participation.
The participants were classified as non-users (n=227, 79.1%), non-active users (i.e., playing less than 30 min
a day, n=24, 8.4%), and active-users (i.e., playing more than 30 min a day, n=36, 12.5%). Most users agreed
that playing the game had a positive impact on their physical activity level. However, the non-active users and
the active-users walked significantly less than the non-users did, and the non-users also had higher overall
physical activity participation levels. Most Pokémon GO players perceived that the app made them more
physically active, although they still walked less than non-players did. There may be pre-existing differences
in the physical activity patterns between the users and the non-users. Health promotion professionals may
encourage sedentary individuals to use this game to promote physical activity |
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| ISSN: | 1800-8755 1800-8763 |