GT Paleocontact: fusing physical exercise with a board game

Abstract

The use of board games as a tool to improve physical condition in students of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences is explored. Inspired by the game "Splendor", the project adapts its mechanics to incorporate physical challenges, creating a playful and motivating educational environment. The main objective is to design an active board game that promotes physical activity and the development of students' physical fitness. The study design is quasi-experimental, cross-sectional and quantitative, with a sample of nine students. The methodology is divided into three phases: adaptation of the game mechanics, game production, and evaluation of student motivation. Using artificial intelligence tools, such as DALL-E 2, and platforms such as genial.ly and Photoshop, rings and character cards were developed for the game. The procedure included online training on the rules of the game and its immersive story, followed by the implementation of the game in a workshop. The participants completed the questionnaires on basic motivations and the global motivation scale, grouping themselves into teams according to their player profiles, determined by the gamertype scale. The results indicate that the game "Paleocontact GT" is effective in increasing students' motivation in physical activities. Additionally, players showed improvements in competence, autonomy, and relatedness, key aspects of basic motivation. The study concludes that active board games can be a valuable tool in physical education, promoting healthy habits and improving students' social and emotional skills.