Designing a fantasy bike-based exergame to foster physical activity

Abstract

Authorities recommend the practice of moderate physical activity to improve health and quality of life. “Playʼn Ride” is a bike-based exergame aimed at promoting and controlling physical activity. This paper presents the usefulness of using extrinsic fantasy and a commonplace real bike to address a wide audience. It depicts the interactive universe in which the player pedals a bike equipped with sensors to control the flight altitude of an imaginary character. During a ‘Tour de France 2019' stage, one hundred and seventy-eight fan park visitors - from youths to retirees - tested the exergame. Data were collected from an online questionnaire composed of SUS questionnaire items and from a digital tracking system attached to the game-engine in order to assess the usability, the learnability and the acceptability of the system. Analysis shows that using extrinsic fantasy makes exercising fun and it engages people of all ages regardless of their interest in video games or sports.