Mobile persuasive exergaming

Abstract

This paper is concerned with utilizing the persuasive methodology of exergaming applied to mobile phones to provide fun ways of encouraging increased physical exercise which is not constrained by a home console environment. In particular the research presented in this paper examines the effectiveness of such a game in terms of increasing a player's heart rate and the effects on game playability of different combinations of physiological and kinetic interaction from user trials of a fully implemented mobile exergame. The results of the study show that as with many activities that seek to exploit the popularity of games it is important to consider the benefits of different kinetic game control schemes on user exertion as well as game mechanics to produce a balance between a fun, persuasive game that encourages player to exercise while lessening such feeling.