This document discusses exergames, which combine video games and physical exercise. It describes a location-based exergame called iFitQuest that was designed and evaluated with teenagers. Studies found that iFitQuest encouraged moderate to vigorous physical activity but that there was a novelty effect over time. The document provides suggestions for designing exergames with student input and evaluating off-the-shelf exergames in schools. It also offers the option to borrow iPhones to trial iFitQuest and discusses collaborating on exergame research projects.

1. iFitQuest: an iPhone game to
encourage school kids to take
exercise
Judy Robertson
Andrew Macvean

2. What are exergames
anyway?
Exercise games, aim to facilitate and encourage physical
activity.
Combine the motivating and enjoyable nature of video games,
with the health benefits of physical exercise.

3. Why are exergames
interesting for Computing
teachers?
It’s a great example of human computer interaction –
novel input devices
From CfE Technologies “develop an understanding of
the role and impact of technologies in changing and
influencing societies”
From new Higher documentation “develop awareness
of current trends in computing technologies and their
impact in transforming and influencing our
environment and society”
Related to NQ 4 Computing Science: Mobile App
Development

4. Questions
Do exergames work?
Is there a novelty effect?
What's the best way to design them with input
from kids?

5. Do exergames work?
The jury is still out...
Studies suggest that they promote light to
moderate exercise, and it’s better if they
include lower limb exercises as well as upper
body
But there is a need for studies over a longer
time period

6. Is there a novelty effect?
Yip!
There are only a few longer
term studies so far with
enough participants
Studies with pedometer
games such as American
Horse Power Challenge
show activity plateau after
four week period
But could clever game
design get around this?

7. What’s the best way to
design them with kids?
User centred design/ participatory design
which stakeholders (kids and PE teachers)

8. Designing a location based exergame with teenagers
IFITQUEST

9. iFitQuest
A location-aware exergame played out in the real
world using an iPhone and GPS / Compass
technology
Players must physically move in the real world in
order to control their on screen avatar.
By placing objects, landmarks and NPCs virtually
within a players vicinity, they can be encourage into
walking / running.
Suite of 8 mini-games, the player has autonomy on
which game to play as well as how the difficulty level
is set.

10. IFitQuest

11. iFitQuest Evaluation
Two studies:
Firhill High School – 14 x14- 15 year olds, PE
class, 20 mins per session for 4 weeks
Granton Primary School- 12 x 11-12 year olds,
released from class time, 13 x 25 mins sessions
over 7 weeks
(video)

12. Did iFitQuest make the kids
take physical activity?
Yes
PE teacher: class worked “as hard, if not
more so” than her average P.E. lessons
Kids’ average speed during game translates
to “moderate to vigorous” exercise according
to NHS guidelines
Data from accelerometers shows that over a
session kids get a mixture of
light/moderate/vigorous activity depending on
the game

13. Did the kids like it?
Andy to fill in quotes + avg enjoyment scores

14. Did the novelty wear off?
At Firhill, we didn’t see this
But the Granton PS kids were beginning to
lose interest at the end
We think we can improve this on another
version of the game, by including a wider
range of games and tailoring goals to
individual kids

15. What we need to do next
Develop an adaptive game, based on player’s
past performance
Conduct studies with larger numbers of pupils
over even longer time scales
We have a funding proposal under review –
fingers crossed!

16. EXERGAMES STUFF YOU
COULD DO IN SCHOOL

17. Design an exergame with
your class
Ask them to design the game play and user
interface for a Kinect or phone game for
exercise
If you’re feeling brave, trying implementing
them! (Ask Susan Stephens from Firhill about
her work with iPhone dev)
(TCH 3-09a Using appropriate software, I can work
individually or collaboratively to design and
implement a game, animation or other application.)

18. Work with your PE
department to evaluate an off
the shelf game
Teach your class HCI in an interdisciplinary way
(From new Higher: “investigating and evaluating the
legal, environmental, economic, and social impact of
contemporary computing technologies”)
(TCH 4-14b: I can apply skills of critical thinking when
evaluating the quality and effectiveness of my own or
others’ products or systems.)
Get a Kinect or Wii Fit and run a user evaluation
Get the PE teachers to help in measuring physical
activity (e.g. pulse, self ratings of effort)

19. Try out iFitQuest with your
class
We will lend you 10 iPhones for up to 6
weeks to run a project (we’d like for some
research data back)
You’ll need access to a football pitch or
playing field for this
(HWB 2-22a / HWB 3-22a I practise,
consolidate and refine my skills to improve
my performance. I am developing and
sustaining my levels of fitness.)

20. Contact info
Email us if you want to try iFitQuest, or want
to discuss ideas for classes
www.judyrobertson.typepad.com
Judy.Robertson@hw.ac.uk
@JudyRobertsonUK
http://www.macs.hw.ac.uk/~apm8/University_Site/
apm8@hw.ac.uk
@andrewmacvean