title: A pilot randomized, controlled trial of an active video game physical activity intervention.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Active video games (AVGs) transform the sedentary screen time of video gaming into active screen time and have great potential to serve as a "gateway" tool to a more active lifestyle for the least active individuals. This pilot randomized trial was conducted to explore the potential of theory-guided active video games in increasing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among young adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this pilot 4-week intervention, participants were randomly assigned to 1 of the following groups: an AVG group with all the self determination theory (SDT)-based game features turned off, an AVG group with all the SDT-based game features turned on, a passive gameplay group with all the SDT-based game features turned on, and a control group. Physical activity was measured using ActiGraph GT3X accelerometers. Other outcomes included attendance and perceived need satisfaction of autonomy, competence and relatedness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that playing the self-determination theory supported AVG resulted in greater MVPA compared with the control group immediately postintervention. The AVG with the theory-supported features also resulted in greater attendance and psychological need satisfaction than the non-theory-supported one.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An AVG designed with motivation theory informed features positively impacted attendance and MVPA immediately postintervention, suggesting that including AVG features guided with motivation theory may be a method of addressing common problems with adherence and increasing effectiveness of active gaming.
authors.affiliation: Department of Media and Information, Michigan State University.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, Michigan State University.
authors.forename: Karin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Pfeiffer
authors.affiliation: Department of Media and Information, Michigan State University.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Winn
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication and Technology, National ChengChi University.
authors.forename: Jih-Hsuan
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, Michigan State University.
authors.forename: Darijan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Suton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D018910:Video Games / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult