One approach to reduce sedentary behavior isthrough casual exergames, exergames with simplegame mechanics played during short time increments.Casual exergames have shown success in producingenjoyable experiences and sufficient levels of exertion.Yet, previous research has neglected what to considerin order to design enjoyable and exerting experiencesin casual exergames. The present work explores thisaspect through an exploratory mixed methodsresearch design, comparing the perceived exertionand enjoyment of four different casual exergames. Inrelation to traditional exergame guidelines werecommend that casual exergames focus on allowingfor high ambiguity of movements, balance thecognitive complexity of the game, and direct players’attention from the body by utilizing fast game pace. 

Det livslånga lärandet är en nyckel i det framtida arbets­livet, för både individer och organisationer i deras strävan att bibehålla sin relevans på arbetsmarknaden. Den här boken tar ett helhetsgrepp kring det digitaliserade livslånga lärandet...[Bokinfo]

To understand what makes gamification successful there is a need to study individual game elements over time. The aim of the present longitudinal case study was to investigate the game element points in a higher-education context, in relation to the hedonic and utilitarian aspects of a gamified learning management system and novelty effects. A scale was developed based on utilitarian, hedonic and motivational elements of the point system, uncovering two main components: perceived value of points, and perceived motivation of points. The results showed that the perception of the points was positively related to the hedonic perception of a gamified learning management system, and that novelty effects are present. Based on the results, we suggest that points in higher education should be designed with regards to how students perceive the value and motivational aspects behind them and with considerations of how novelty effects can be mitigated. 

Research on gamified learning in higher education has displayed positive, negative, and non-significant results. To understand what makes gamification successful there is a need to study individual game elements over time. The aim of the present study is to investigate the game element points over time in a higher education context, in relation to the hedonic and utilitarian aspects of a gamified learning management system. A scale was developed based on utilitarian, hedonic and motivational elements of the point system, uncovering two main components: utilitarian and hedonic perception of points, and motivational perception of points. The results showed that the perception of the points was positively correlated to the utilitarian and hedonic perception of a gamified learning management system, and that novelty effects are present in terms of the perception of points. 

Prolonged sedentary life is associated with several health risks. Office work is characterized by prolonged sedentary time and contributes significantly to the total sedentary exposure for office employees. This work aims to investigate the combination of casual exergames with gamification, two concepts that can impact behavior change, to decrease the prolonged sitting time for office workers, by interrupting long periods of sitting. A gamified web-based break application for micro-training using casual exergames and movement exercises was designed. A user study with office workers was conducted where workers had access to the application for 45 weeks, during which reward-based gamification was introduced in the application during an 11-week period and usage was compared before, during, and after the introduction of the reward-based game elements. The results showed that participants reported a positive experience of the application and that the breaks during the reward-based gamification period was higher compared to the period before and after the inclusion of the reward-based gamification.

Background: Reducing inactivity in cardiac patients is vital since it can decrease the risk for disease progression and mortality. Current commercial available exergames (games where one has to be physically active to be able to play) might not optimally meet the needs of cardiac patients. The aim of this project was to design and develop a mobile exergame app involving end-users (elderly cardiac patients).

Method: The player-centered, iterative, interdisciplinary, and integrated (P-III) framework for designing and developing serious games has been modified and used for designing and developing the exergame involving end-users. This framework has 4 pillars: 1. Player-centered design process 2. Iterative development 3. Interdisciplinary teamwork 4. Integration of play and the serious content End-users involved in the project were patients from a local patient organization for patients with heart and lung diseases.

Results: In the player-centered design process cardiac patients were involved in the entire game design and development, not only during the usability testing phase. In the iterative development of the game, we had a visual game design of the game to understand the players’ group and the problem domain. Later the visual game concept was transformed into a prototype of the game. This prototype was adapted within seven iterations to a mobile exergame. The development was through interdisciplinary teamwork, where both cardiac patients, experts in cardiac care and game developers worked closely together in developing the game. The serious content in our project is physical activity and the integration is focused on exergame design guidelines for older adults and fitness application guidelines for cardiac patients. The mobile exergame that was developed, has as main goal to walk 10 minutes more a day. The concept of the game is based on taking care of a farm and expanding it by sowing, watering, and planting fruits and vegetables. To do activities in the farm the user has to walk in the physical world, this could be both done indoors or outdoors. Each activity is rewarded with experience points (see screenshot mobile exergame). Conclusion: An exergame was successfully developed within an interdisciplinary team with as goal to encourage cardiac patients to walk 10 minutes more a day. This game will now be tested in a randomized control trial, called the Heart-eXg stud

Exergames, active videogames in which players use their bodies to control the game, have been successful under certain conditions to produce enjoyable experiences and physical benefits. Casual exergames have been developed with simple game mechanics and short game play durations with the intent to promote exertion. Previous research has suggested that using full body game controllers in exergames compared to upper body movements has greater potential in producing high levels of exertion. In the present work we explore the impact of using upper compared to full body exergame controllers on players’ level of perceived immersion, perceived control, and perceived exertion in the context of casual exergames. A between subject, quasi-experiment was conducted with 80 participants, playing the same casual exergame with either upper body movement controllers or full body movement controllers. The results showed a significant difference between groups in terms of perceived control but not in terms of perceived immersion or perceived exertion. Based on the findings we recommend that casual exergame designers do not overlook the use of upper body game controllers in casual exergames but consider them as an alternative to using full body game controllers. 

Casual exergames offer potential in decreasing sedentary behavior. Yet, little is known about how casual exergames can be designed to provide higher levels of physical effectiveness and psychological attractiveness. From the lens of goal setting theory, we explore if assigned goals affect players performance, exertion, and enjoyment in a casual exergame. A quasi-experimental design was applied, comparing the performance, exertion, and enjoyment during two game rounds for a group exposed to a specific goal setting prompt in the second game round, compared to a control group. Further analysis was conducted on how the participants changes in performance, exertion and enjoyment between game rounds was affected by either receiving or not receiving the goal setting prompt. The results support the notion that assigned goals in casual exergames result in higher performance, exertion, and enjoyment on a group level. Furthermore, the results showed that on an individual level the assigned goal resulted in a higher increase in exertion between game rounds, but not in performance nor enjoyment. 

Casual exergames have shown potential in providing sufficient levels of exertion to decrease sedentary behavior. However, previous casual exergame implementations do not follow the guidelines of allowing for shorter (2-3 minute) active breaks during more regular increments. To evaluate if casual exergames could be applied following the guidelines of shorter more regular increments we designed and developed a casual exergame using MediaPipe. The resulting game, Balloon Pump, was evaluated at a game and cosplay festival with 60 participants playing the game. After game play, perceived exertion, control and immersion, and overall experience of the game, was measured and the performance and number of movements were noted. The results from the evaluation study showed that the game was perceived as controllable, had produced sufficient levels of exertion, and was perceived as fun. The immersive experience of the game was low and the participants commented on several ways in which this aspect could be improved, such as adding more incentives and variation in the game.