The Effects of Health Consideration on Exergaming Behavior in College Students: A Structural Equation Perspective

Purpose: Exergaming play is associated with positive health benefits and increased engagement in physical activity outcomes in players. Research also indicates that factors such as enjoyment and entertainment drive users' exergame activities. However, despite advances in the area, little is known about whether health consideration and physical activity impact college students' exergaming behavior. Method: A cross-sectional online survey of open-ended and fixed questions was completed by 403 college students (Mage = 20.02, SD = 2.3; Range: 17-35; 73.2% female) from a large southwestern university. Descriptive analyses and structural equation modeling techniques were used to draw insights from the data. Results: Among the participants, nearly 87.6% of them reported participating in exergaming behavior. Both measurement and structural models showed good model fits. Health consideration (Std.β = .30, p < .01) and leisure-time physical activity (Std.β = .28, p < .01) were positively associated with exergaming behavior while health consideration was not significantly associated with leisure-time physical activity (Std.β = .05, p = .38). The mediation analysis revealed that the indirect effect from health consideration to exergaming behavior through leisure-time physical activity was not statistically significant (Std.β = .01, p = .38). Leisure-time physical activity could not mediate the relationship between health consideration and exergaming behavior. Conclusions: By pointing out the important role of health consideration and physical activity in college students' exergaming play, findings of this study can help exergame developers and gamification interventionists to design more effective programs and, in turn, facilitate positive intervention outcomes.