Gamification in Physical Activity: State-of-the-Art

Abstract

Physical activity is decreasing globally, and more people are becoming sedentary, which is associated with numerous adverse health outcomes. To counter this trend, gamification emerges as a promising strategy for enhancing participation in physical activity interventions. The review investigates the influence of gamified systems on the promotion of physical activity and examines associated behavioral and psychological outcomes. The analysis incorporates empirical studies focused on adult participants, published in peer-reviewed English-language journals over the last five years. Several critical aspects are considered in the analysis, including specific types of physical activity targeted, employed gamification systems, involved motivational features, and behavioral and psychological outcomes, thus offering a state-of-the-art overview of gamification and physical activity. Findings confirm that gamification serves as an effective mechanism for promoting physical activity. To address gaps in existing research, recommendations for future work include broadening the range of metrics used for measuring physical activity and investigating the psychological benefits of gamification in physical activity interventions. Moreover, future research could benefit from leveraging addictive game design elements and utilizing artificial intelligence and computer vision models to monitor user progress and suggest appropriate challenges. In conclusion, the review outlines the considerable potential of gamification to positively affect participation in physical activity, highlighting the need for additional research to fully realize this potential.