Physical Exercises and Computer-Based Games: from Playground to Serious Games and Exergames
Physical Exercises and Computer-Based Games: from Playground to Serious Games and Exergames

Summary/Abstract: The technological and informational development of the last decades has been an opportunity for the area of physical exercise to benefit from the effects of computer-based games, through the integration of functional indicators into a set of educational stimuli that aim to motivate and train people for a healthy and sustainable physical activity. Inspired by the characteristics of motor activities, both in terms of structure and of physical and psychological demands, computer-based games are now widely used as specific learning tools, as serious games and exergames. Nowadays both types of games contribute to the achievement of the specific objectives of different motor activities. This paper aims to present an analysis of the serious games and exergames used in the field by applying a series of scientific criteria, while highlighting their contribution to the specific learning process and fitness development. On the other hand, a literature review has enabled the authors to emphasize the main research directions of using computer-based games in motor activities, providing important milestones for expanding the research area. The conclusions of the paper are consistent methodological benchmarks for specialists who want to modernize the training process through the use of computer-based games, as well as for the IT specialists who can develop new technologies and software products for this area.

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