Defining Exergames & Exergaming

Yoonsin Oh and Stephen Yang

Abstract

With growing interest in exergames research, various terms and definition have introduced to describe exergames. The authors reviewed current literature to understand the inconsistencies and gaps between fields. We found patterns between health-related researchers and non-health related researcher's terms and definitions. Exergame was the most frequently used term, but the combination of exercise and videogames could cause confusion since the term exercise is limited to a particular condition. The authors propose to redefine exergames as a combination of exertion and video games including strength training, balance, and flexibility activities. Exergaming is playing exergames or any other video games to promote physical activity.