Evaluating Changes in Perceived Enjoyment throughout a 12-Week School-Based Exergaming Intervention

This study assessed whether a high-intensity exergame represents an enjoyable training tool for children in the elementary school setting. Furthermore, it evaluated whether gender, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), fitness level, weekly physical activity level, and general interes...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Children (Basel) 2023-01, Vol.10 (1), p.144
Main Authors: Röglin, Lisa, Stoll, Oliver, Ketelhut, Kerstin, Martin-Niedecken, Anna Lisa, Ketelhut, Sascha
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Body mass index
Computer & video games
Curricula
elementary school
Exercise
exergaming intervention
Health care
Intervention
long-term psychological effects
moderate-to-vigorous physical activity
Participation
Pediatrics
physical education
Physical fitness
Questionnaires
Students
Teenagers
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Summary:This study assessed whether a high-intensity exergame represents an enjoyable training tool for children in the elementary school setting. Furthermore, it evaluated whether gender, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), fitness level, weekly physical activity level, and general interest in sports moderate perceived enjoyment during the 12-week intervention. Thirty fifth- and sixth-grade students (10.5 ± 0.7 years; 50% girls) participated in this study. During baseline assessments, anthropometric measurements and a shuttle run test were conducted. Throughout the intervention period, the students participated in 15−20-min exergaming sessions (ES) in the ExerCube twice a week during school hours. Enjoyment was assessed after an ES in weeks 2 and 12. Additionally, enjoyment was evaluated after a physical education (PE) class in week 2. The results reveal no significant changes in enjoyment (p = 0.164) over time. The modest changes over time were significantly affected by BMI (p = 0.027), WHtR (p = 0.007), and weekly activity level (p = 0.016). Compared to the PE class, enjoyment was significantly higher during the ES (p < 0.001). None of the covariates showed a significant effect. Mean HR during the ES reached 87.1 ± 1.9% of students’ individual maximum HR. In conclusion, the ExerCube provides a promising tool for schools to promote enjoyable moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
ISSN:2227-9067
2227-9067
DOI:10.3390/children10010144