Effects of exergaming and the physical education curriculum

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Ang Chen, Professor (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: From an education perspective, play has always been viewed as an integral part of learningexperiences1 and physical activity is a major component in many games that children play. Inrecent two decades, rapid technology development has brought the playground into living rooms,video-TV screens, desktop and laptop monitors, and mobile devices. While most video-basedgames are sedentary, some do require players to physically engage in the game, thus“exergaming”. Compared with sedentary games, exergames clearly demonstrate potential toincrease players' energy expenditure,2 which presents an advantage in engaging children inphysical activity while playing video games. In recent years, exergames have entered physicaleducation gymnasia gradually. It is hoped that exergames will help attract students to physicalactivity and enhance activity experiences at moderate and vigorous intensity levels. Movingexergames form the home-play environment to physical education implies an importanthypothesis: exergaming experiences will provide students with educational benefits equal to orgreater than those they likely experience in physical education. To examine this importanthypothesis, the Journal of Sport and Health Science has organized four articles in this specialissue to provide insights from empirical and conceptual perspectives. Three of the four articlesare data-based research reports conducted in authentic physical education settings where theeffects of exergaming on children balance ability, physical activity, and motivational correlateswere compared with those of typical physical education. One article is a conceptual analysis ofexergaming potential as part of the 21st century physical education curriculum.

Additional Information

Publication
Journal of Sport and Health Science, 2(3), 129-130
Language: English
Date: 2013
Keywords
editorial, physical education, exergaming, curriculum

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