Active Video Gaming for Fitness and Exercise

Going to Games for Health? USA or Europe?

2013-06-10T21:50:00.002+01:00

9th Annual
Games for Health Conference

Back Bay Events Center, Boston MA
June 26-28, 2013!

Register Today! http://www.regonline.com/gfh2013

Sponsorship and exhibit opportunities also remain.
Contact bbryant@dmill.com for more information.

Latest schedule up at Sched.org!

Three Days to Explore...The Role of Videogames in Health & Healthcare

The 9th Annual Games for Health Conference is coming soon. Register today before prices rise and hotel room availability dwindles. Join hundreds of developers, health professionals, researchers, funders, and more at the largest event devoted to games in health & healthcare.

GAMES FOR HEALTH EUROPE!
On November 4-5 join us in Utrecht, The Netherlands for the 3rd Annual Games for Health Europe Conference.

For complete details on Games for Health Europe visit:

http://www.gamesforhealtheurope.org

ABOUT GAMES FOR HEALTH
Founded in 2004, the Games for Health Project supports community, knowledge, and business development efforts to use cutting-edge games and game technologies to improve health and health care. The Pioneer Portfolio of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is the lead conference sponsor and a major supporter of the Games for Health Project. To date, the project has brought together researchers, medical professionals, and game developers to share information about the impact games and game technologies can have on health, health care, and policy.

A major effort of the Games for Health Project is the annual Games for Health Conference. Over three days, more than 400 attendees will participate in over 60 sessions provided by an international array of 80+ speakers, cutting across a wide range of activities in health and health care. Topics include exergaming, physical therapy, disease management, health behavior change, biofeedback, rehab, epidemiology, training, cognitive health, nutrition, and health education.

Can Exergaming Prove Health Benefits?

2013-05-19T10:54:00.005+01:00

Exergaming is by definition "exercise". Combining an exercise component with a video game component. Is it a crazy question to ask if it improves health? Maybe so, and that's not just a difficult question to ask of exergaming, as "health benefits" include complex sets of interactions and variables. In fact it's a crazy question to ask, like "does eating cheerios make your smarter".

Stepping aside from the technology for one moment, consider swimming as a mechanism for improving public health. Swimming is certainly great exercise, working all muscle groups, great cardio and very social too. On the face of it swimming is all set up to improve health. in practice, however, it does not for the majority of the public. Research has shown calorie intake after a session of swimming far outweighs the calories burnt during the session. People get the munchies after a swim.

Equally there's theories, with some solid research backing, that show in the normal course of events introducing a dedicated session of exercise elicits a reduction in pre-existing physical activity. Essentially some unexplained factor compensates for a bout of activity to maintain the bodies average energy expenditure.

Can a study in laboratory conditions "prove" health benefits for any exercise, let alone exergaming? No. What can be proved, to a degree, is energy expenditure levels and activity intensity. Whilst bigger numbers here would seem what we want to see, they only tell part of the story. The new study recommends using active videogaming ('exergaming') to improve children's health, it cannot be definitive.

Not all exergames are equal and not all people enjoy the same games, which is the reason why you may have seen research studies published claiming the opposite findings. We can't prove health benefits, but we can derive the factors that would make exercise sustainable and practical. For most people's money, the subject of the latest study; Kinect, doesn't make the grade in practicality or sustainability.

At Games for Health we all tried out Kinect table tennis. We had the advantage of a huge open area and didn't have to put the coffee table on eBay to make room to play but still the control recognition was so poor it was almost laughable and the game so unplayable it drove us crazy.

There's a reason video games are so popular, because they are not square pegs in round holes. There's a game to suit everyone and to tap into that sustainability is really the only way to get to health benefits. This approach is exactly what makes Gamercize the only true exergame system that's tailored to everyone's needs!

Where is the Education in P.E for Exergaming?

2013-03-19T09:03:00.001+00:00

Active Video Gaming uses in Physical Education

I've just spotted a new comment on a Gamercize YouTube video that opens a critisim of exergaming that a lot of active games struggle to answer - where's the education component? The overriding answer to this question is there is none, as the game is just a tool for the PE teacher to use. However - some games give the teacher more to work with.

Here's the video that was commented on:

The comment says "I like the overall idea and objective of this, but how are kids working on fundamental movement skills and such. Sure this is getting heart rates up, but not actually teaching them any skills or ways to stay active throughout their lives."

Yes, Gamercize does raise HR to moderate to vigorous levels, so that's a tick in the box for physical activity, but what of the skill component? True, Gamercize is not teaching kids how to catch, but we're looking at more advanced kids - the ones that are engaged by video games.

Gamercize in this implementation is being used to teach

Sport strategy - seeing the big picture of team interaction and how tactics can be employed
Team play - co-operation and communication between teams of 2 to achieve a sports objective
Physiology - which muscles are working and how energy is being created for them

I'm not a PE teacher, so that is just first impression view and I'm sure those more experience in PE will be able to find different modes of implementation that lever the power of engagement into video games to reach lesson objectives!

As for the second part of the question above, kids are like wind-up toys - just give them the opportunity to get moving and give them a start and they'll keep on moving :)

Gamercize Pro-Sport for teaching PE

2013-02-08T11:36:00.003+00:00

Check out this great video featuring Gamercize GZ Pro-Sport for Xbox 360 by Zach Fodor

Active Gaming: Gamercize from Zach Fodor on Vimeo.

Exploring Unknowns with Exergaming

2012-12-20T22:30:00.002+00:00

I had written this a little while ago, but the sentiment is still valid and at this time of goodwill, sharing, friendship and helping others, I thought it was particularly relevant to post.

Unusually for an article about exergaming we are starting outdoors. At 3,500 feet to be precise. Like many of us I am comfortable with flying as a means of transport. I also enjoy flying as a pastime having earned my wings some years back qualifying to pilot light aircraft. At few thousand feet in this Cessna, I am neither comfortable nor enjoying the flight. I feel cold, I feel apprehensive, I feel unsure, I feel not in control. The once familiar rolling green countryside passing below no longer looks picturesque, it looks menacing and alien. With a cacophony of noise and blast of cold air, the side of the Cessna opens up, and I find myself at the open door, gripping the aircraft for fear of falling out. Over the noise of the engine and the roar of the slipstream I hear myself questioning how I got in this situation, how this looks like a really long way down, how I wished I was not here, uncertain of what will happen, what could happen, what to do. Then I jumped.

The members of The Exergame Network successfully raised $350 for me to take on this challenge of a solo skydive to raise money for much needed exergame research. The Exergame Network (TEN) is a non-profit, unaffiliated and unbiased group of individuals with a common goal, to advocate the appropriate use of exergaming to improve health and fitness. The group started from an expansion in interest of the genre of exergaming and a need to continue the debates between that of the annual Games for Health conferences in Boston. TEN created resources, such as the TEN wiki, and used collaboration tools such as Skype and Google Docs to advance understanding and structure thinking around exergaming.

The work of TEN led to identification that exergaming in practice was progressing far faster than research could keep up. Members of the network identified what these gaps are, from creating and analysing an evidence base of published studies on it’s wiki. We then established what progressive research questions could be asked in order to get “what we can prove” in line with “what we know”. Closing this gap is a priority for the advocacy of TEN.

In order for TEN to close this gap we are pulling together resources from its members to arrive at a package of awards that can be granted to aid the inception and completion of the missing studies. My skydive was just a part of this package, raising money that will be used for buy out from class or research assistant’s time. With a strong contingent of established researchers, academic and clinicians the awards package also includes free consultancy time to aid newcomers. This experience in exergaming provides a big advantage in the methodology and study design.

There is also a wealth of exergaming manufacturers, distributors and implementers within the TEN network that alongside pledges of free consultancy for the award package are able to donate or loan exergaming equipment to facilitate studies. We even have members who are pledging facilities, and in some instances with populations already pre-engaged in exergaming.

Completing the awards package we have pledges of dissemination opportunities that include a pre-agreed poster session and a journal publication (subject to editorial controls). When this package of awards is finalised in the new year a panel from TEN will be inviting submissions for study proposals which will answer our research questions and fill the gap between theory and practice. Successful applications will receive the awards that aid the complete process from design to publication.

Completing this project has significant outcomes. For the people “at the coal face”, supporting, promoting and implementing exergaming the publication of studies that confirm what we are telling people about exergaming will be the evidence basis to help progress the genre. For the academic community the seeding of studies in exergaming will enable more progressive research to be carried out, and give a foundation for researchers beyond simple energy expenditure studies.

Where does that leave me? Like the state of exergaming research today, I am hanging in limbo, under a parachute canopy. I soon realise there is a problem. My canopy lines are twisted and the parachute is not controllable. From the instruction of the course I know what I need to do to resolve the problem and I follow the advice to separate the risers and kick out of the twists. Under full control I can clearly see the direction I need to take and maneuver for the landing pattern. Having the advantage of experience from my fixed wing qualifications it is easy for me to fly the pattern and bring the canopy onto final approach. As I come in to landing I have a talk-down via radio to ensure my pre-landing checks are correct. Resisting the natural temptation to slow the canopy I approach on “full drive”, flaring at the right time and right height to make a successful landing.

As I walk alone back to the manifest area I realise that the success of the jump was down to having the right information to start with, the application of experience to a new environment and the continual support and guidance throughout the final landing phase. This is comparable to the experience TEN will be providing for researchers and students willing to take a leap of faith into the genre of exergaming research.

The Cause of Obesity

2012-11-28T23:28:00.000+00:00

It should come as no shock that there is an obesity crisis. We hear it in the news every now and again, but what's the problem. A few more fat people? It's actually quite a serious issue.

For an individual take a look at this graphic

(source : https://www.ldh.nhs.uk/obesity_01.htm)

For the population that's not overweight of obese (congratulations!) there is still a serious issue

(source : http://www.getamericafit.org/statistics-obesity-in-america.html)

What this means is fit or fat, you're affected by obesity, either in your health or your wealth.

This is an outcry I hear you say. I'd agree. There is no mistake that I have cited UK and USA sources above, obesity is a global epidemic - a pandemic. So what are our individual countries doing to fix this for us?

The the UK we have the Change4Life campaign. Eat less, move more! Great. In the USA we have Healthy People and latterly supplemented with Let's Move! In Canada there's of course Active Healthy Kids Canada. Everything's ok now we have these great quasi-government organisations fighting for our health?

Not quite. All of these organisations have a common flaw. They do not adapt, they do not learn, they do not get disbanded if they are ineffective.

First on the block for the chop is Healthy Active Kids Canada.

"Since the formation of the Active Healthy Kids Canada in 1994, according to "Obesity in Canada - Snapshot" published by the Public Health Agency of Canada, the levels of obesity have grown from just over 20% to nearly 25%."

Next up Healthy People 2010

"Since the inception of Healthy People 2010 in 1999, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the states in America that have an obesity prevalence of 30% grew from zero states in 2000 to 12 states in 2010".

What about Change4Life?

"Since the creation of the Change4Life campaign in 2009, according to the National Health Service commissioned statistics via ONS, the percentage of overweight or obese children had grown from 17% reported in 2009 to 30%"

Why if the obesity problem is recognized and agencies have been set up to combat the problem is it still getting worse? Costing us our health and our wealth? The answer is a lack of knowledge about the population they are trying to help. Technology is becoming increasingly more important in work and leisure for the modern western individual and these agencies are still touting the "go play outside" message for increasing physical activity. All of them have dismissed exergaming as part of the solution.

Exergaming is dismissed because a few studies in Nintendo Wii have failed to produce the illusive 60 minutes of MVPA (Moderate to Vigourous Physical Activity, basically, being out of puff) that most governments recommend. Equally, most people get bored of Wii Sports and go play Mario Kart instead. The lack in understanding of exergaming, and the natural aversion to technology, causes the obesity agencies to make a fatal (that'l be fatal you you, not them) mistake and provide incorrect guidance. So what if exergaming ticked the boxes for sustainability, for MVPA?

Contrary to stereotypical or ignorant belief, exergames can. At least, Gamercize can. If you only ever read one piece of research this decade, make it this one. Exergaming MVPA, sustainability and of course comparison against the dreaded Wii.

(source : http://exergaming.pbworks.com/w/file/61482197/BHF%20Exergaming%20Poster.pdf)

So what causes obesity? Ignorance. Or to be blunt - the ignorance of the agencies set up to combat the situation. We know exergaming works, see above, but the agencies deny this. I would rather suggest honest stupidity over a desire to worsen the crisis in order to justify the expansion the respective agencies budgets. Well, maybe I might just hint at that.

Overcoming Challenges in Exergaming

2012-11-24T16:02:00.000+00:00

My involvement with exergaming goes beyond that of my role as CEO of Gamercize. I am also involved with The Exergame Network. This network is populated with like minded industry leaders, researchers and supporters of exergaming.

I am involved with this network because I believe that the genre of exergaming needs to be heard, not from the basis of commercial intent or academic politics, but from the people who want to freely share knowledge and help others. I think that when exergaming is represented only without ulterior motives can the true story be heard and the best advocacy presented.

This week I put that commitment on the line, backing up words with actions. I'm not unique here, active members of The Exergame Network share this passion and characteristic, putting others before themselves to be true to the objectives of exergaming: helping others!

Here's a write-up of my efforts, with a few pictures and a video that prove no matter what the challenge, it is best overcome as a group! Special shout out for the benefactors of this effort, who can be found on twitter as @mrakkorak @helenabaert @XRGamer1 @TheGameDoctor@exergame @actifit @syangman @Exergamer @xphysguy, and Gamercize for paying for the training and jump.

Follow TEN on twitter here: https://twitter.com/ExergameNetwork
Join on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/groups/exergaming/
Read the blog here: http://exergamenetwork.blogspot.com

Cheers!

@ActiveGamer (Richard Coshott)

TAKING A LEAP OF FAITH FOR EXERGAMING

A couple of days before Thanksgiving Richard Coshott took a “leap of faith” out of an airplane to raise money for an organization that he is very passionate about, The Exergaming Network (TEN).

Coshott raised nearly $400 using Fundraise.com and that money will go towards paying for research that needs to be done. One of the biggest challenges in growing TEN is trying to convince organizations, schools, educators and anyone involved with making decisions on how exergaming isn’t just video games.

Exergaming is very beneficial to students and it is great way to keep students active. Coshott was nervous about the jump, but knows that it help raise awareness for TEN’s goals.

“When you have a door open to an airplane at 3,000 feet it goes against every natural instinct to jump out,” Coshott said. ”We have raised the profile of the initiative, and the knock on effect is we have some great partnership relationships in construction.”

He is excited about creating more fundraisers with Fundraise.com in the future and loved working with the team on creating a successful fundraiser.

“The great part about using Fundraise is that we can add to our activities, so we’re expecting to add more fundraisers,” Coshott added.

There is a lot of research to be done in the coming months, and some of the topics that need to be tackled include: Positive Behaviour Effects, Gateway Effect, Comparative Enjoyment of Physical Activity, Health Benefits of Exergaming, Family health benefits of Exergaming, Cognitive benefits of exergaming and Improved social confidence from Exergaming.

Coshott is hoping that exergaming will continue accross the globe in the United States. One of the biggest challenges in the US is that with the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation, money has been diverted away from physical education and the arts and towards teaching to the test to try to meet the requirements of of NCLB.

But Coshott sees exergaming as a great way to keep kids in shape and educate them at the same time. Some studies show that students who regularly exercise perform better academically.

“Exergaming is brilliant to give all kids a chance to be active and successful in physical activity,” Coshott added. “One goal of TEN is to educate these schools so that they can implement a successful and rewarding experience for the school and the students. The good news is that exergaming can help; so long as we know how to use it and we have the proof that it does say what we say it does.”

And that leads back to the reason why TEN needs financial support.

“Hence the reason TEN is doing all the work to get the gaps filled in exergaming research and hence the reason I jumped out of a plane last weekend,” Coshott exclaimed.

Here is video of Coshott taking his “literal leap of faith” to help support TEN:

To read the previous entry on this fundraiser, visit: http://blog.fundraise.com/post/35724102079/growing-the-exergaming-network-one-player-at-a-time, to read more more about the Fundraiser, visit: https://www.fundraise.com/the-exergame-network/active-gamer

Original article at: http://blog.fundraise.com/post/36427724320/taking-a-leap-of-faith-for-exergaming

The Exergaming Files (Episode 2)

2012-11-20T12:36:00.001+00:00

Once again, just for fun, but with a serious note on sustainability. It's a key concept for Gamercize and an all to often seen flaw for exergaming, so do take a listen. If the player isn't visible below - watch on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHhLrEC5J2E

The Exergaming Files (Episode 1)

2012-11-05T20:12:00.000+00:00

Proof that we don't take life too seriously at Gamercize (if any were needed)

Enjoy two industry leaders from opposite sides of the planet. Many thanks to CEO of Exergaming Australia, Brett W M Young, for the collaboration!

If there is no embedded play below; Listen on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu4dV8dA-O8

Olympic Exergaming with London 2012

2012-08-17T12:38:00.004+01:00

The release of Sega's official video game with both Microsoft Kinect and PlayStation Move compatibility may conjure images of swan diving off the back of the sofa or hurdling over the cat in the living room. However, the exergaming aspect of the game out of the box is limited and non-existent for PC players.

There are nearly 50 events in Sega's offering for the official video game of the London Games, but only a handful of these can be played as exergames with Move and Kinect. The game is available on PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 and far from being a sporting legacy from the games is basically one of those exergames we'd rather not talk about.

Why is there so little exergaming in this most obvious of titles? The reason is the motion sensor technology of the consoles is at odds with game play. The puppeteering control required to make the game playable is simply not possible using the confines of a living room. The vast majority of events use tried and tested game pad controller input, even to the point a game pad is preferred over a PC's keyboard and mouse.

The lasting legacy of the games, however, is not lost for those wishing to be active whilst re-living, or improving, their countries gold medal count. Gamercize is compatible with every event! The advantages of using Gamercize with London 2012 are the space needed is no more than sitting or standing and the control of the game is not degraded. Exercise to play is all we ask!

Gamercize has a number of options for PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 with our range of mini and full sized exercise machines. Check out http://www.gamercize.net to find out more. Gamercize helps Olympic exergamers to Reach the Next Level!

Exergaming: Preaching to the Converted

2012-08-08T14:38:00.002+01:00

Reaching the "Hard to Reach" through Social Media

Photo by ExergameLab http://exergamelab.org

The concepts of obesity, physical activity and health are globally recognized and linked. Ideas and questions are shared within social media without international boundaries and eagerly expanded or answers suggested. Video gaming is also a global concept, with worldwide release dates for premium games and global communities of online players. Stories around these topics tend to cause a social media "buzz".

Exergaming is an innovative bridge from video gaming to health, that has been demonstrated in almost every country, but exergaming is not intrinsically a social media buzz-category. Why is that? It could be the approach exergaming stories should be shared needs to be different to take into account the relative infancy of the proven exergaming concept.Over recent months I have seen the success and acceptance of exergaming in social media though what was once called "cross-posting".

Cross-posting is a term that was used in bulletin boards and news groups of the old Web 1.0 and involves repeating information in different areas. Given the amount of social media available to be consumed via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other sources, this practice is useful today in order to reach the intended audience. In fact I intend to "cross-post" this blog post! When a story is posted there is the opportunity for readers to interact for example by "liking" or "retweeting" - a comparative measure for cross posts..

Judging the reaction by the number of "likes and comments" on exergaming cross-posts this year it is apparent that only "preaching to the converted" is working! There are very few reactions to exergaming stories in PE and physical activity forums, but plenty in exergaming circles. The most effective social circle for reaching audience is clearly The Exergame Network. The only other notable forum for exergaming is Games for Health. Both The Exergame Network (TEN) and the Games for Health organization, with its US and European factions and related Games for Health Journal, are global organizations.

There are two conclusions that can be drawn from my recent observations. Firstly, there are simply not enough knowledgeable or passionate individuals in the field of exergaming (at the moment) to sustain a buzz in anything less than a global forum. National and regional scope simply does not reach the tipping point to build momentum. I have seen individuals go it alone, and the only outcome being they fall out of the flock of exergamers!

Lastly I am concluding that approaching exergaming like it has the social kudos of gaming or fitness is the wrong approach. For exergaming "Preaching to the Converted" is all that really works. How should the approach change then? Increase those that are converted! Invite PE and physical activity advocates into The Exergame Network and Games for Health spaces, so they can consume exergaming stories, ask questions and make suggestions is a positive collaboration instead of a skeptical minority.

Gamercize Supports New OUYA Console

2012-07-15T10:54:00.000+01:00

Gamercize is planning to support the innovative Android based console OUYA by providing compatible exergaming accessories from its existing range.

The current range of supported platforms for Gamercize includes Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC is planned to be extended in 2013 to support OUYA.

Gamercize enables gaming through the player exercising, pausing the gameplay if the user stops moving. This principle of Gamercize is unique in exergaming as the game is the focus with exercise playing an enabling rather than integrated role.

This patented concept allows Gamercize to support all traditional video games, without modification, to provide an immersive and sustainable exercise experience. The Gamercize focus towards a wide variety of games with traditional control methods is compatible with the stated approach of the OUYA concept.

“Recent studies into exergaming show that fitness focused games are not working; researchers and developers are failing to identify that without a quality gaming experience an exergaming is just exercise. Gamercize relies on the immersion of gaming to take a players focus off the exercise effort and this interaction has been proved time and again during the research. Our approach makes improving fitness via stealth far more viable.

Gamercize is successful because we are gamers and we understand gaming as much as the need to be healthy. The focus of OUYA towards traditional controllers, big screen immersion and variety of games for all players aligns with Gamercize. I’m excited to see the possible addition of OUYA to our supported platforms. It’s a Perfect Fit.” said Gamercize CEO, Richard Coshott.

The Gamercize product range has been in production since 2006. Exercise machines in the Gamercize range start with the GZ Power Stepper to the GZ Family Fit combined recumbent cycle and rower giving players unparalleled choice in exercise. Gamercize can be purchased for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC today at http://www.gamercizeshop.com.

Sponsor my Skydive to Support Exergaming Students!

2012-06-16T10:09:00.000+01:00

I normally have the left seat when aviation is concerned and it's never occurred to me to land independently of the aircraft I took to the skies with. In all honesty I'm really not that good with heights at all! A skydive represents a significant challenge to me, so it's appropriate that I do this daunting task to support exergame research's equally duanting challenges.

Exergaming research is disparate and unstructured in it's approach and inconsistent with it's results. This leads to a great deal of confusion in the media and public view as to what exergaming can and can not achieve with respect to health. Exergaming is a serious game floundering in the playground of research politics. No more obvious is this than the biggest research projects, that while guaranteeing the principle researchers tier one journal publications, leaving the exergaming genre abused in it's wake. Read more about that sorry state of affairs here.

The Exergame Network (TEN) has been long aware that the limitations of exergaming are public knowledge, dissemination, application and study design rather than failings in the equipment and the excellent individuals who deliver the experience to the users. To that end TEN has collaborated to give the top questions, and therefore evidence, required to understand exergaming. From it's wiki site here they are:

We need studies to show positive results in the following studies;

1. Energy Expenditure (absolute or comparative) - DONE

2. Adherence of Exergaming - DONE

3. Positive Behaviour Effects

4. Gateway Effect

5. Comparative Enjoyment of PA

6. Health Benefits of Exergaming

7. Family health benefits of Exergaming

8. Cognitive benefits of exergaming

9. Improved social confidence from Exergaming

The first two of these questions have been answered sucessfuly by Konami's DDR and Gamercize's GZ Pro-Sport respectively. In answering these questions the original study design also becomes valuable - as a blueprint for others to follow in the implementation of exergaming. The irony is that exergamers in the field already know what works and what doesn't, so why don't researchers answer their research questions using study designs informed by the experts?

TEN thinks this is a poor state of affairs, so is launching an initiative to get the right designs into the journals. The reason I am facing the challenge of falling out of a plane on my own (note that I'm not jumping tandem but solo) is to give TEN a chance to gain some sponsorship to fund students into exergame research.

TEN will ask for study designs to be submitted for consideration and the best of these will be decided by a panel of experts for funding and support. As indicated above TEN thinks there is more to funding a study than most other foundations - TEN wants the right questions, right design and right approach, so the award to successful candidates will not only be money. TEN is providing the following;

1. Cash for research assistants / buy out from class
2. Exergaming equipment donation
3. Dissemination opportunities
4. Publication opportunities
5. Academic Support and Exergaming Expertise

The way to support this cause is to donate via fundraise.com at https://www.fundraise.com/the-exergame-network/active-gamer - You can also support the initiative by sharing this post, the fund raising page and joining TEN on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and attending Skype calls. Do it now.

Is Enhanced Physical Activity Possible Using Active Videogames? - Open Response by Gamercize CEO

2012-06-11T23:29:00.000+01:00

Making Exergaming A Success?

Gamercize has always performed impeccably in well designed research studies, delivering the validation of sensible, and considered, research questions. (see http://gamercize.blogspot.com/p/active-gaming-research-projects.html for study designs and results)

Applications of Gamercize in these studies have varied from desk exercise to school activities and at all times provided the correct level of engagement for the user to achieve beneficial physiological responses.

Gamercize does not fail because of the core principles of making exercise a secondary activity (automatic response) to the on-screen enjoyment, and allowing the user to engage in the electronic content that they prefer.

Best games and realistic exercise; is there any better formula for an exergame design? According to a recent Clinical Brief in the excellent Games for Health Journal, some researchers are well behind in the learning curve towards this understanding.

The brief is referencing a study reported on earlier this year in the journal Pediatrics, with the lead researcher, Tom Baranowski, defending the original study for it's poor reception by the media. Originally, according the NHS in the UK, the summary of the study by Dr Baranowski was “there is no reason to believe that simply acquiring an active video game under naturalistic circumstances provides a public health benefit to children”. This was a pretty bold statement to be based on just one study - even despite it's size and cost. It is also a statement that is incorrect with respect to Gamercize active video games.

In defense of the controversy stirred up by the study and it's subsequent media reporting the recent Brief diverges from rational perspective and common sense further, claiming "Children early in the diffusion curve might have used the games more actively" - which translated basically means, had the study been conducted when Wii first came out it would have favorably changed the outcome. The suggestion for rectifying this (of many) faults of the study claims that Kinect for Xbox 360 would have been a resolution.

The most basic and fundamental failure of this research, the attempt to recover via the Brief and of the researcher is that; A CONSOLE IS NOT A GAME! A new game is all that is required to sustain interest. Clearly the more engaging and appropriate for the user the game is in the first place, the longer the period of time before interest wanes.

The game titles used had not been chosen by the participants in the original study and were weak gameplay fitness games (excusing DDR of course!). There is not one person familiar with video games that would have expected the outcome to be anything but a failure as a result.

Gamercize, of course, does not suffer from the weak fitness title sustainability problem (see the list of exergaming studies earlier in this post that references this) as Gamercize uses the game the user wants to play! Would this have been a more considered exergame to put under test? I think so. It is a pity the genre of exergaming took such a high level kick in the teeth by the media reports, slowing our progress towards the very health benefits this study sought to prove.

To summarize, the basic lack of understanding into the interaction between video games and the target population is outstanding. There is no systematic or methodological failure in the study outside of this. The foundation of sheer ignorance of video gaming was not understood by media and hence why the media reporting was so outspoken and prolific.

My conclusion for any researcher looking to expand their portfolio with exergaming studies is (and I would welcome Tom's open reply in comment);

"If you don't understand video games you will never be able to design a successful study using exergaming. Certainly don't undertake any exergaming study until you have taken advice from an expert - any twelve year old will do."

158 New Exergames Announced at E3 for 2012

2012-06-06T19:01:00.001+01:00

E3 Has long been the focus of the gaming and tech worlds, but exergaming is stealing the stage in 2012. No fewer than 158 new exergame titles have been announced. There is something for every person, age and preference this year with titles from Epic Mickey : The Power of Two through Lego Lord of the Rings to Gears of War Judgement and Forza Horizon.

Here's the top ten exergame picks from E3 so far according to GameSpot:

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (PC,Xbox 360,PlayStation 3)

Grand Theft Auto V (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360)

The Secret World (PC)

Hitman: Absolution (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360,PC)

Halo 4 (Xbox 360)

Assassin's Creed III (PC,PlayStation 3,Xbox 360)

Far Cry 3 (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360,PC)

Tomb Raider (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360)

The Last Guardian (PlayStation 3)

Resident Evil 6 (PC,Xbox 360,PlayStation 3)

The platforms of Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC are all supported by Gamercize, the gamers choice of exergame with genuine fitness machines enabling gameplay of the best the video game industry has to offer.

The full list of games is below, there is something for everyone representing an estimated 21 million sales and hundreds of hours healthy game play for every gamer via Gamercize!

007 Legends (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360)

Agni's Philosophy (Xbox 360,PlayStation 3)

American Mensa Academy (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360,PC)

Arctic Combat (PC)

Arma II (Xbox 360)

Arma III (PC)

Ascend: New Gods (Xbox 360)

Assassin's Creed III (PC,PlayStation 3,Xbox 360)

Avatar Motocross Madness (Xbox 360)

Battlefield 3: Armored Kill (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360,PC)

Battlefield 3: End Game (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360,PC)

Bellator: MMA Onslaught (Xbox 360,PlayStation 3)

Ben 10: Omniverse (Xbox 360,PlayStation 3,PC)

Beyond: Two Souls (PlayStation 3)

Borderlands 2 (PlayStation 3,PC,Xbox 360)

Brick-Force (PC)

Bullet Run (PC)

Call of Duty: Black Ops II (PlayStation 3,PC,Xbox 360)

Carrier Command: Gaea Mission (Xbox 360,PC)

CastleStorm (Xbox 360,PlayStation 3,PC)

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 (Xbox 360,PlayStation 3)

Continent of the Ninth Seal (PC)

Core Blaze (PC)

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360,PC)

Crysis 3 (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360,PC)

Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition (PC)

Darksiders II (PlayStation 3,PC,Xbox 360)

DC Universe Online: The Last Laugh (PlayStation 3,PC)

Dead or Alive 5 (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360)

Dead Space 3 (PC,PlayStation 3,Xbox 360)

Deadlight (Xbox 360)

Defiance (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360,PC)

Demonicon (PC)

Deponia (PC)

DiRT Showdown (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360)

Dishonored (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360,PC)

Divinity: Original Sin (PC)

DMC (Xbox 360,PlayStation 3)

Dogfight 1942 (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360,PC)

Doom 3 BFG Edition (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360,PC)

Dungeonland (PC)

Dungeons & Dragons: Neverwinter (PC)

DUST 514 (PlayStation 3)

Dust: An Elysian Tail (Xbox 360)

Dyad (PlayStation 3)

Dynasty Warriors 7 - Empires (PlayStation 3)

End of Nations (PC)

Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two (Xbox 360,PlayStation 3)

Ether Vapor Remaster (PC)

F1 2012 (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360,PC)

Fable: The Journey (Xbox 360)

Far Cry 3 (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360,PC)

FIFA Soccer 13 (PC,PlayStation 3,Xbox 360)

Final Fantasy XIV Online (PlayStation 3)

Firefall (PC)

Fist of the North Star 2 (Xbox 360,PlayStation 3)

Foosball 2012 (PlayStation 3)

Forza Horizon (Xbox 360)

Fray (PC)

Gears of War Judgment (Xbox 360)

God of War: Ascension (PlayStation 3)

Grand Theft Auto V (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360)

Grimlands (PC)

Guardians of Middle-Earth (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360)

Halo 4 (Xbox 360)

Happy Wars (Xbox 360)

Hitman: Absolution (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360,PC)

Hybrid (Xbox 360)

Injustice: Gods Among Us (Xbox 360,PlayStation 3)

Jet Set Radio (PC,PlayStation 3,Xbox 360)

Joe Danger: The Movie (Xbox 360)

Kartuga (PC)

LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes (PC,PlayStation 3,Xbox 360)

LEGO The Lord of the Rings (PC,PlayStation 3,Xbox 360)

LittleBigPlanet Karting (PlayStation 3)

LocoCycle (Xbox 360)

Lollipop Chainsaw (Xbox 360,PlayStation 3)

Lost Planet 3 (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360,PC)

Madden NFL 13 (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360)

Mark of the Ninja (Xbox 360)

Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth (Xbox 360)

Matter (Xbox 360)

Medal of Honor: Warfighter (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360,PC)

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (PC,Xbox 360,PlayStation 3)

Metro: Last Light (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360,PC)

Miner Wars 2081 (Xbox 360,PC)

Mistborn: Birthright (Xbox 360,PC,PlayStation 3)

Mugen Souls (PlayStation 3)

Narco Terror (Xbox 360,PC,PlayStation 3)

NBA 2K13 (Xbox 360)

NBA Baller Beats (Xbox 360)

NBA Live 13 (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360)

NCAA Football 13 (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360)

Need for Speed Most Wanted (Criterion) (PC,PlayStation 3,Xbox 360)

NHL 13 (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360)

Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch (PlayStation 3)

Of Orcs and Men (Xbox 360,PlayStation 3,PC)

One Piece: Pirate Warriors (PlayStation 3)

Otherland (PC)

Painkiller: Hell & Damnation (PC)

Papo & Yo (PlayStation 3)

Persona 4 Arena (Xbox 360,PlayStation 3)

Pid (PC)

PlanetSide 2 (PC)

PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale (PlayStation 3)

Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 (Xbox 360,PlayStation 3,PC)

Quantum Conundrum (Xbox 360,PlayStation 3,PC)

RaiderZ (PC)

Ratchet & Clank: QForce (PlayStation 3)

Resident Evil 6 (PC,Xbox 360,PlayStation 3)

Retro City Rampage (PlayStation 3,PC,Xbox 360)

Rift: Storm Legion (PC)

Rise of the Guardians (Xbox 360,PlayStation 3)

Risen 2: Dark Waters (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360)

Runes of Magic Chapter V: Fires of Shadowforge (PC)

Sacrilegium (PC)

ShootMania Storm (PC)

SimCity (2013) (PC)

Skulls of the Shogun (Xbox 360)

Skylanders Giants (PC,Xbox 360,PlayStation 3)

Sleeping Dogs (PC,PlayStation 3,Xbox 360)

Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time (PlayStation 3)

Sound Shapes (PlayStation 3)

South Park: The Stick of Truth (PC,Xbox 360,PlayStation 3)

Spec Ops: The Line (PlayStation 3,PC,Xbox 360)

Sports Champions 2 (PlayStation 3)

Star Trek (2013) (PlayStation 3,PC,Xbox 360)

Star Wars: 1313 (PlayStation 3,PC,Xbox 360)

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 (Xbox 360,PlayStation 3)

The Amazing Spider-Man (PC,Xbox 360,PlayStation 3)

The Elder Scrolls Online (PC)

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Dawnguard (Xbox 360)

The Last Guardian (PlayStation 3)

The Last of Us (PlayStation 3)

The Lord of the Rings Online: Riders of Rohan (PC)

The Secret World (PC)

The Showdown Effect (PC)

The Testament of Sherlock Holmes (Xbox 360,PC,PlayStation 3)

The Unfinished Swan (PlayStation 3)

Tokyo Jungle (PlayStation 3)

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Blacklist (PlayStation 3,PC,Xbox 360)

Tomb Raider (2013) (PC)

Tomb Raider (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360)

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD (Xbox 360)

Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (PC,PlayStation 3,Xbox 360)

War of the Roses (PC)

Warface (PC)

Warhammer Online: Wrath of Heroes (PC)

Watch Dogs (PC,PlayStation 3,Xbox 360)

Wizardry Online (PC)

Wonderbook: Book of Spells (PlayStation 3)

World of Battleships (PC)

World of Warplanes (PC)

Wreckateer (Xbox 360)

XCOM: Enemy Unknown (PlayStation 3,Xbox 360,PC)

Young Justice: Legacy (Xbox 360,PlayStation 3)

Zeno Clash II (Xbox 360,PlayStation 3,PC)

Zone of the Enders HD Collection (Xbox 360,PlayStation 3)

Are you going to Games for Health this year?

2012-05-14T10:28:00.000+01:00

The conference is a few weeks away now. Have you made plans? Check out what Ben Sawyer says...

Hi everyone,

Not to sound like a broken record but if you plan to attend Games for Health in June it's a good idea, almost necessary idea, to book your hotel before 5/16 or you could be paying more or without a room altogether.

The link to book your room is here:

> https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=8249983

You should also buy your ticket as we'll be raising prices a bit as things get closer.

> The direct link to registration is:

> http://www.regonline.com/gbew2012

Best,

Ben

Gamercize Sponsors F1 in Schools

2012-01-29T08:43:00.004+00:00

Technology in Schools Produces Results!

Gamercize is getting involved in The Formula One Technology Challenge (http://www.f1inschools.com) for schools is a big way with sponsorship of promising schools. The mix of technology and education is a mainstay of Gamercize principles therefore this relationship fits well with the company goals.

Fifteen counties are taking part in the 2011 Championship Season, including USA, UK, Australia, UAE, Singapore and Malaysia. Once again this global appeal fits well with the Gamercize global brand and shows unity through technology for many different cultures.

The format of the Season is a number of regional finals for schools to enter teams not only designing and building an F1 Race Car model, but also the teams of children ages from 9-19 are responsible for creating a business plan, managing budgets and meeting costs. After the regional finals the top teams compete in National finals (see http://www.f1inschools.com/page--global-national-final-dates.html) to reach the goal of the global final. This format truly fits in with Gamercize's motto "Reach The Next Level".

Gamercize wishes the best of luck to all the schools and teams involved, and looks forward to the first National final, which in the UK on March 11-12.

Exergaming could be the answer to shifting those extra seasonal pounds

2012-01-21T19:21:00.003+00:00

By Rebecca Monks, Scotland On Sunday

http://www.scotsman.com/scotland-on-sunday/the-week/andrew-eaton-lewis/exergaming_could_be_the_answer_to_shifting_those_extra_seasonal_pounds_1_2044021

The term couch potato was once reserved for anybody who favoured a life spent in the living

Then the games console was invented. Children replaced playgrounds with PlayStations, adults were racing virtual sports cars rather than each other, and a brand new type of potato was born: the gamer.room over one in the great outdoors.

With this came questions. How would it impact on the health of the future generation? And if watching that episode of Friends for the 50th time had the power to keep potatoes on the couch and away from the gym, what damage could an Xbox do?

It is estimated that eight out of ten households in the UK now own a gaming console, but while the popularity of the industry has surged, so too have fears over rising obesity levels. Not least in Scotland, where between 1995 and 2010 the proportion of adults aged 16 to 64 who were overweight or obese (BMI of 25 or more) increased from 52.4 per cent to 63.3 per cent.

Yet just as it seemed likely that the country’s obesity crisis was going to be blamed on the latest version of Crash Bandicoot, there came an interesting development. Exercise gaming, pioneered by the Nintendo Wii in 2006, was born. Picking up on the popularity of sports games, Wii encouraged people to join in with the activities on screen, increasing exercise levels while capitalising on the popularity of the gaming culture.

The Wii enables players to participate in a wide variety of sports, from bowling to tennis and water skiing, all from the comfort of the living room. But has gaming evolved into something truly positive for fitness?

Exergaming is now so ubiquitous, every leading console is promoting its own fitness game. And it is not difficult to understand the appeal. A combination of busy lifestyles and a fascination with new technology mean the concept of exercising at home is unquestionably viable. One man who understands the appeal more than most is the CEO of Gamercize, Richard Coshott. “I came across the concept of gaming exercise one school summer holiday on a particularly pleasant day, when I suggested to my sons that we play football in the garden. At the time they were playing FIFA on the PlayStation, and would rather carry on in the World Cup than have a kick-about in the garden. When I insisted they put down the controller and play outside, I realised how out of condition they were from a ‘play’ regime of electronic sports and decided I needed to do something”.

Seeing his sons’ reaction to exercise gaming encouraged Coshott to create Gamercize, a company that markets interactive exercise products to work alongside Xbox, PlayStation and Wii. He explains, “The exercise needed to power the controller becomes automatic and unnoticeable to the brain, making the exercise element sustainable, which leads to real health benefits such as weight control, lower resting heart rate and improved physical co-ordination.”

Promoters are going out of their way to prove exergaming has real health benefits, yet there are still some significant concerns. Coshott admits the contactless nature of the workout increases the risk of injury, while the lack of encouragement from a virtual trainer may lead to a dip in enthusiasm. Furthermore, a study by the medical journal Paediatrics found the average session on Wii boxing, for example, amounted to the same amount of exercise as moderate walking. So perhaps it’s a bit too soon to be burning our gym membership cards.

Interestingly, Health Scotland has reported that during the week, boys spend an average of 31 minutes a day playing games consoles. If those 31 minutes were spent in active gaming, it could go some way to meeting the national guidelines for physical activity. After all, even 31 minutes of moderate walking, aka Wii boxing, is better than sitting still; and if gaming is as popular as the statistics suggest, exercise gaming could be considered a productive way to help achieve a national goal.

Is exergaming deterring people from attending the gym? Though the year on year statistics suggest that, on average, gym memberships fell 16 per cent last year, the likes of David Lloyd Leisure seem untroubled.

Group health and fitness manager Rob Beale says, “Gaming has perhaps attracted a new type of exerciser, but being part of a health club is an entirely different offering, so I don’t expect this to have any negative effects.”

Now, it seems the future of fitness is choice. Game on!!

Making a Splash in the World of Exergaming!

2011-10-30T19:52:00.005+00:00

a.k.a. the big (belly) flop!

I have been in the world of exergaming for a few years, and seen some "Big Splashes" on in the industry. Pretty much every single one of these has been quickly followed by the inevitable "sinking like a stone" without trace.

On the products side does anyone remember BodyPad? No? Let's try something more mainstream then, Fitbit, Nintendo's Vitality Sensor, Big Ben Cyberbike? All of these products have had a big money launches, lots of people jumping on the bandwagon in supporting the hype, but all have been forgotten as quickly as they were announced.

There are also consumer targeted games, mostly on the Wii platform, that have made the headlines, but failed to leave a subscript in the world of exergaming. In fact there are too many of these titles to mention, they come and go too often.

I must stand in defense of exergaming - these are not failed attempts at exergaming - these failed products represent failed attempts to make a quick buck. They miss the point; exergaming is all about sustainability, all about delivering the goods not the hype and everything to do with making a difference not a focus on making a steal.

Although it is disappointing to see this "easy and cheap" attitude, it does go to show that exergaming has a profile that's now being noticed by very many, and this in itself tells me that exergaming is here to stay! There are many examples of products and people that are genuine, put the effort in and have real worth. The world of exergaming is getting bigger and I'll not say "wait to see what comes next"; rather "wait to see what we can do more!".

How to Fit Exercise into a Busy Schedule

2011-08-25T17:20:00.000+01:00

"I don't have the time to exercise, I'm too busy"

Does this sound like you? Getting the time for exercise is next to impossible, some say. Where do you find an extra hour a day? If you look at exercise this way, chances are you won't find the time, but think differently.

"The question is not how to fit exercise into my busy schedule, BUT How can I make exercise part of my routine?"

Routine is important, its habit, it's sustainable, it's the comfort zone. Schedules infer lack of choice, time boxed activities, it's the obligation zone. If you have kids you'll know how important routines are; Your child needs a routine for comfort and you change your schedule around to suit THEM! Making sense? Hope so, (especially to parents!!) but what can you do to implement this missing aspect?

The very simplest way of doing this is to take the stairs, not the elevator or escalator. If you work in London, or another major city, you'll probably find taking the stairs is quicker than the queue for the escalator anyway! (Well, probably not at first, but you'll get there!).

That's not going to get you all the way to 60 minutes a day though, although it'll be the right intensity. Here's a tip, take a diary (journal) of all the "free" screen time you have. Be it playing video games, surfing the web, listening to songs on YouTube, checking your Facebook or reading Blogs. Is there any pattern? Chances are there is, and after a few weeks you should have an hour a day (including weekends), so let's use this.

I'm not suggesting you forgo your leisure time in favor of going to the gym or out running, that's changing your schedule, and that's a bad tactic. What I'm looking for you to do is change your routine - instead of having this time as sedentary, making the behavior change to Active Screen Time (AST).

If you spend a lot of time on the computer or internet, use the Gamercize PC-Sport to make this active time. Studies indicate this will improve your BMI and health with a more efficient cardio vascular system, i.e. you'll be fitter. If you play a lot of video games, change that journalled sedentary time with Gamercize Pro-Sport for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. We're not suggesting you change the game to a tedious exercise game, keep playing what YOU want to, Gamercize works online, offline with the games people play for entertainment.

Gamercize Research Information

2011-08-23T10:45:00.000+01:00

Any time, any thing, any place - Gamercize delivers!

Here is the current list of Gamercize studies that have been published. You will notice there is no "back-page" to this publication, the reason being there is more to add!

I hope you can see that a sound concept leads to sound results! It should be recognized that it is the effectiveness and flexibility of the products that lead to these great results, if you have not experienced Gamercize, maybe it's time to put it to the test yourself!

Open publication - Free publishing - More active gaming

Getting the Team Spirit into Exergaming

2011-08-21T17:45:00.000+01:00

Group exergaming in teams? Gamercize shows you how!

The video gaming world has progressed from the solitary player of the late 80's, "two player mode" was always the greatest form of gameplay. Now those days are gone, with "online mode" being king - or are they? Gamercize works with all games on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, in all modes of play, and an often overlooked mode of "Linked Play" has to be one of the best exergaming experiences, it's multiplayer in teams!

One of the main advantages of linked play in exergaming is that it's a safe and controllable environment for users such as schools and clubs. Linked play gives equal levels of engagement of online play, with the simplicity in technology of single player mode. It's like the racing video games you see in arcades, with four cars next to each other, everyone gets a screen but the play is linked in the game.

Here's what you need to get exergaming in linked mode, using the Xbox 360 as an example. First you'll need a suitable Gamercize setup, and double it. A good configuration is a screen, Xbox 360 and 2x Gamercize Pro-Sport Power Steppers. Now double that. Arrange the screens and stations back to back if possible. The advantage of linked play over two player (also known as co-op) mode is that the screen real estate is not split, and each screen is hidden from the other team!

You will also need two Xbox 360 titles that are compatible with "system link", one for each Xbox. The game needs to support this function and as with every Gamercize experience - the game is the most important factor, so spend some time to get this right and do a little research (for some ideas check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Xbox_System_Link_games). The Xbox uses the term "system link" for linked play, here's the symbol to look out for on the back of the box;

The last thing you'll need is a connection between the two Xbox'es. Some people call this a network cable, RJ45, Ethernet cable or patch cable. It's the type of cable that plugs into the back of your computer at work. There is a port for this on the back of the Xbox, which is normally used to plug into the network for online play, but using it to link two Xbox'es together doesn't need help from IT, doesn't need ports open on the firewall and presents no risk associated with "online chat" etc. Plug the same lead into both consoles. This is what the port looks like (highlighted in the red box below).

You are all set to go! Now you can play the same game on both stations, but linked! For the next part, playing the game, you will need the help of another person. Using the same title in each Xbox start stepping (or cycling if you are using the Gamercize Endurance Cycle) to activate the controllers. If you have not set up gamer profiles for you Xbox, do this now (yes, you have to keep stepping while you do this, it's exergaming!).

In the main game menu there will be an item similar to, if not actually reading as "linked play", sometimes this is a sub-menu under a main menu item of "multiplayer". With BOTH stations at this point in the game it will be possible to set up a game where both are playing against each other.

There's often the chance to set up MORE than two stations in system link, this concept is readily seen in Major Leauge Gaming competitions, but we start to get a little more complicated as an eithernet hub is required. If you are interested in this option take a look at the Xbox knowledge base (and tell them Gamercize sent you!) http://support.xbox.com/en-us/pages/xbox-360/troubleshoot/kb/xbox-kb.aspx?kbid=910583

A great title to try this with would be a soccer game. Both stations can have two players, creating a 2 on 2 scenario where tactics and co-operation are the ultimate winners of the competition. Games that also have "plays" that can be selected also work very well, with the added advantage that the opposing team can't see what play you have selected, just like real life!

If you do get stuck, go back to basics, make sure you have the connections right and get some teenagers to figure it out for you! Have fun, keep fit and enjoy!

Gamercize in Hong Kong

2011-08-17T18:45:00.001+01:00

Gamercize has Global Appeal

This week saw Gamercize featured in a TV show in Hong Kong as an intervention for a case of a sedentary lifestyle. The experience of HKU was explained as "wow factor". See the video below.

Videos and content to keep you up to date with Gamercize are available on our Facebook page here. Hope you Like it!

Active Gaming for the Girls

2011-08-12T18:12:00.002+01:00

London's Girls get Exergaming!

When you think about Active Gaming (AG) you may be thinking about images of Wii Bowling in retirement accommodations, or maybe mom’s keeping up with a Jillian Micheal's fitness regime after the kids have left for school. Another perception you may have comes from the “gaming” aspect of AG, which gives the impression that it’s more of a “boy’s” activity. In my experience with my company Gamercize, I’ve found this is far from the case. Active Gaming is much more than this, and has a much wider appeal, global appeal in fact.

My company, Gamercize, works with many different types of active gaming users, including teachers and schools, and providers products and services to help every person be more active by changing sedentary screen time into active screen time.

One service we provide is a PE Teacher familiarization and training day, to bring PE and technology together, almost like a hands-on “Show and Tell”. These days are a great way to give us a chance to test out the reactions to different types of games, reaching out to new demographics, and acquire useful feedback from students. One event that appeared to offer different challenges was for a girl’s school. We took along a good selection of games, finding the Xbox 360 offered more variety than the PlayStation 3, that has predominately shooting or racing games. The fun part about the equipment we used was any game would work, the active part of the active gaming being to keep stepping to play.

The XBox 360 video game console supports 4 players, although most readily available and popular games available for them support two players per console. There are options for up to 16 players “linked” and countless social interactions available with online play. The cost per station is far more attractive for multiple players per console and the offline play mode makes it much easier for the teacher to be in control of the session without outside influence.

In the UK the adherence for girls in PE is generally lower than for boys, especially at the age range we had at this school, the teens. Some problems have been recognised and addressed, for example not mandating gym skirts and allowing sweat pants or shorts not appropriate for PE wear, but this group remains the most difficult to keep engaged in class. It’s difficult for teachers to keep to curriculum and progress the children if they only sporadically attend class; I was given the job of working out how to engage them more.

The easiest games to engage boys with are sports games, would the same be true for girls? Sports worked well, but it was clear the girls wanted more variety, so to engage the whole class we had to do a lot more. After changing games on the consoles a couple of times we settled into three different genres on all three consoles. Sports was still popular, fantasy racing won out over pure racing simulation and the last genre turned out best; fantasy adventure. This kept the whole class active and happy, and pleasantly surprised as they were expecting traditional gym work for the lesson, not active gaming!

What surprised me was about half the 16 year old’s in class had arrived not intending to take part in the expected gym class, with parental notes and the old “forgotten kit” excuses. I did wonder how many would have skipped PE had they known Gamercize would be there? From the feedback we had, the girls who were not planning to engage in the class appeared more keen on the active gaming class, with many asking if the equipment would be available next week.

One group that knew active gaming was coming to school was the teachers. After running the classes it is normal to use the equipment as an “ice-breaker” with the teachers and to wind down before reflecting on the lessons learned from the day’s classes. It was long past time to pack up and get on the road, but the competitive nature of PE teachers was overriding the message from the school clock. Of course do-overs were the order of the day as we battled it out with Super Monkey Ball Grand Prix.

The only other time you will see engagement over such wide demographics is with traditional sedentary video games. Although technology is not normally associated with the Physical Education department, the active version of video games looks very promising for attendance rates. The teachers certainly saw the appeal, which is always more conducive in a hands-on environment when the reactions of students can be seen first hand and the equipment tried out by all ages.

This post originally appeared on PE Central's Active Gaming blog at - http://pecactivegaming.blogspot.com/2011/08/active-gamings-global-appeal.html

The Power of Video Games (for Exergamers)

2011-08-10T21:34:00.006+01:00

Exergaming is Driven by Gaming

This is a post that has been long overdue! As I write this I am sitting with my kids (see pic from six years ago!) who have got me crawling, not the walls, but the floor to plug in our original Xbox. They have loaded a save game from 2004 and are playing with an "ancient" Gamercize for Xbox!

Recently I saw a re-post of an article (that's not worthy of a link, sorry) claiming to be "everything you need to know about exergaming". Sadly this promising title leaves a lot to be desired and represents a terrible view of exergaming. Why is it so bad? It has a common attitude, even shared by a fair few exergame advocates - those that don't understand and have never experienced "The power of video games" - that exergaming is great (but we don't know why).

There is one aspect of exergaming that sets it aside from traditional physical activity and fitness options, and that is THE VIDEO GAME! The whole reason that (good) exergames are successful is that they tap into the engagement, sustainability and enjoyment of a past time that can keep anybody playing for hours! It's time to refocus on the basic principle that makes exergaming what it is - video games.

Video games now with the latest Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles have two basic modes. I will make no apology for going back to basics. The first mode is offline, or story mode, where a player progresses through a what is in effect an "interactive movie". The game play can last for between three and over a hundred hours (Blue Dragon on 306!). Game play is preserved by saving the game and typically as you progress through the story, your symbiotic in-game character improves and gains new skills.

It's this progression, the sense of achievement, options for personalisation that leads to an attachment with the video game. The basics of video gaming are very simple, but in reality it takes tens of millions of dollars to make a global best seller. There is all this going for a video game, but what happens when you reach "the last boss" / "final challenge" / "finale"? In short, the player becomes bored with the game, and it's appeal is lost. This is the reason why there are always new games out each month, it's a concept called "attach rate", meaning the number fo games per console per year.

One major misconception I see from a few exergame advocates and a lot of main steam media is to take an exergame in isolation. Attach rate statistics show the appeal of a game can last a couple of months at best. Is that enough time to change a lifestyle with exergaming? Maybe not, so sustainability (changing the game) needs to be a huge consideration when using exergaming as an intervention. Give it six months and that's where you'll see some amazing health benefits that traditional activity would be hard to match, especially when considering seasonal changes for outdoor exercise.

Video gaming has progressed beyond the solitary play stereotype into a whole new world, and the second major mode of games today - the online mode. The PlayStation Network (when it's up) and Xbox Live provide a transport mechanism for the most engaging for of gaming. While solo play may engage players for a couple of months, online play has the ability to engage players for 12 months or more.

Halo and Call of Duty (both compatible with Gamercize online or offline) are classic examples of video games that have relativity short story modes, but almost unlimited appeal when played online. The social aspects of online play are compelling for the human species. There is of course progression, but this is largely cosmetic, in terms of new kit, and almost never functional. Everyone has the same chance to achieve, depending on skill.

There's the catch for online gaming. It's one thing to beat a pre-programmed story, but another thing to compete and socialize with people from all over the world - and win! Getting to this level takes time and lots of practice (all of which is active time with Gamercize) but is more rewarding than, say, soccer practice compared with an actual match.

The true benefit of exergaming is the video game. If you've never experienced the "3 yard stare", it's unlikely you'll be able to fully appreciate this and the power of exergames. My advice would be to get online and get gaming with a genre that appeals to you (and don't forget to add Gamercize to the mix and keep healthy too!).