GamerSize Science-Quest for the Perfect ExerGame

I have been invited to speak at the European Union Platform on Diet, Physical Activity and Health in Brussels, Belgium, next Wednesday. It provides a common forum for all interested “actors” (organizations) in the field at a European level. In 15 minutes I plan to give a whistle-stop overview of the past, present and future of Active Video Games / ExerGaming.

By way of introduction, I am planning a little teaser which I will share with you now. It comprises 4 scenarios and you have to select the odd one out. The first is a group of indigenous men out hunting with bows and arrows. The second is a group of women working in a field harvesting a crop by hand. The third is a couple out jogging in the street. The fourth one is a person playing a martial arts-based ExerGame. Suggestions in a Comment as to the odd one out…

Update 1:

I have had a suggestion that the ExerGamer is the odd one out as they are the only one not in a “social” setting. Good point - but that is not the answer I am looking for, so keep the suggestions coming

Update 2:

I have had another suggestion (by email) that the joggers are the odd ones out as the physical exertion is the primary focus of their activity, whereas in all the other cases it is not the primary focus. All I can say is that this is getting pretty close!!!

Update 3: - Solution

The odd one out is indeed the joggers, as in the other three cases, there is a life or death necessity to be physically active. Either to catch (hunters) or harvest (women in field) some food. In the case of the ExerGamer, if they don’t keep active, they will die in the game, but it is not quite such a problem, as you get several lives.

The point I am trying to make with this metaphor is the potential to which active video games can be a highly engaging experience.