Family Exergaming: Correlates and Preferences.

Area of Science:

• Behavioral science
• Public health
• Human-computer interaction

Background:

• The family home is a key setting for promoting physical activity (PA) and reducing sedentary behavior.
• Exergames offer a potential method for increasing energy expenditure within the home environment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the utilization, influencing factors, and preferences associated with family exergaming.
• To understand how exergames fit into family routines and what activities they might replace.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was administered to 483 Canadian parents with children aged 6–14 who own video game consoles.
• The survey assessed exergame preferences, social cognitive factors (Theory of Planned Behavior), and perceived displaced activities.

Main Results:

• 75% of parents reported playing exergames with their children, averaging 29 minutes per session every two weeks.
• Parents preferred sports and dance exergames, primarily on weekends (80.1%) and during inclement weather (rainy 51.3%, snowy 45.5%).
• Family exergame use correlated with intention, attitudes, and social norms; TV watching was the most displaced activity (64.1%).

Conclusions:

• Exergames present a viable option for increasing family PA, particularly during weekends and poor weather conditions.
• Interventions should emphasize the social aspects and attitudinal drivers of family exergaming to maximize engagement and PA benefits.