GamerSize Science-Quest for the Perfect ExerGame

Yesterday I gave a presentation to the European Union (EU) Platform for Action on Diet, Physical Activity and Health under the auspices of the Director General for Health and Consumer Protection at the EU Commission in Brussels. It was a great honour to be invited and a growing recognition of the significance of my research.

Fifteen minutes is not long to give an overview of ExerGaming/Active Video Games, summarize my Research Data and suggest Future Directions. Furthermore it was a very varied and disparit audience representing 34 member European level organisations ranging from the food industry to consumer protection groups and NGOs. In addition there were a number of observers drawn from WHO, EU Presidency, Member States, EFSA and the European Parliament.

I was not quite sure what to expect as I arrived at the meeting venue. In fact it was very much like I had seen in the media, rows of seats with microphones and headphones and booths for translators around the perimeter of the room. The support staff were friendly and helpful and I started to feel a bit more relaxed. It wasn’t long before the meeting started. The chairman started proceedings in english with no sign of any translators. The opening exchanges were fairly relaxed and I began to sit somewhat easier in my chair.

Given that my presentation was the last item before lunch, my teaser by way of introduction was well received and got a bit of a laugh! I then set about trying to convey the idea that ExerGaming offers the possibility of a new way of doing things before “reminding” the audience of the massive size of video games industry. I then gave an illustrated overview of various ExerGames before moving onto my describing the range of laboratory measures including oxygen consumption involved in my work. I then gave a brief summary of my results - all games are not equal - maximize active muscle mass in rapid fire movements.

In order to get people thinking about how ExerGaming to promote physical activity - I outlined my list of list of actual and possible “persuasive technology” features developed by applying Fogg’s principles to ExerGaming. Looking to the future, I outlined the current ExerGame sensor technologies before moving on to GPS enabled mobile phones, a Garmin heart rate and gps sports watch and the Nike+ iPod system. I then described some of the immense range of possibilities when you add Web 2.0 social networking to the mix. I had a map of Brussels from the Nokia Sports Tracker System showing routes people had uploaded including a close-up of one person’s rollerblading route around the European Quarter close the location of the meeting! I made a particular point of emphasizing the advanced nature of the European mobile phone network and suggested that Mobile ExerGaming was an area in which Europe could lead the way.

Bringing things towards a close, I suggested that there is a paradigm shift from a Persuasive Message to a Persuasive Interactive Experience. At this point I tried to provoke a bit of a response by suggesting that video game industry initiatives such as Nintendo’s Touch! Generations (e.g. DS Cooking Guide and Wii Fit) could start to set the the diet and physical activity agenda. My closing slide indicated that it is vital to Maximize the Opportunity presented by ExerGaming and create a Sustainable Future.

Phew! It was over! A few questions later and we were breaking for lunch. Despite the call for sustenance, several people spoke to me immediately, excited about the possibilities for ExerGaming. I was then taken for lunch and sampled some of the local cuisine in cafe-restaurant and continued chatting.

Proceedings commenced in the afternoon with the main business being a debate on future actions concerning Physical Activity. As I was in no rush to catch a plane, I continued several conversations after the meeting finished.

Overall, it was an amazing experience and I trust that I have managed to raise awareness of ExerGaming/Active Video Games at a European level and prompted some actions. Personally, I have a number of exciting contacts to follow up.