A study released by the University of Birmingham has found that young people exposed to online interventions in the form of ‘exergames’ were more likely to improve their physical activity levels.
With the government having announced their ‘Back to School’ campaign on the 26th of August, and the easing of restrictions that will allow a full return to sport, music and drama, the research could allow stakeholders to take stock of online interventions and how they can be used to keep children active.
The study is the first to examine the impact of online interventions and will help direct organisations to use their newly-found digital upgrades. The evidence published in Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy is the first non-clinical experiment that looks at the effects of digital mediums on physical activity knowledge, social development and the improvement of mental health.
Researchers found that young people, especially those in primary school, were more likely to increase or improve their levels of physical activity when they were offered online interventions that included gamification, personalised feedback and further educational material.
The lead author Dr Victoria Goodyear added:
“…There’s a real opportunity here for the PE profession to lead the way in designing meaningful and effective online exercise opportunities, as well as an opportunity to embed positive approaches to exercise and online games and apps at an early stage.”
To find out more about the study, see here.
