title: Pokémon Go: A game changer for the physical inactivity crisis?
abstract: There is an urgent need to find novel strategies aimed at motivating people to go outside and move more. Pokémon Go blends a fun smartphone game with real-life, outdoor physical activity. Initial reports suggest it is a successful population level strategy to increase physical activity levels. Further research is needed to understand the long-term risks and benefits of this new game. Free-to-play location-based augmented reality mobile games are likely to be a new model for promoting healthy active living in the future.
authors.affiliation: ParticipACTION, 77 Bloor St West, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1M2, Canada. Electronic address: aleblanc@participaction.com.
authors.forename: Allana G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: LeBlanc
authors.affiliation: Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L1, Canada. Electronic address: jpchaput@cheo.on.ca.
authors.forename: Jean-Philippe
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Chaput
mesh_terms: D015444:Exercise; D000068957:Games, Recreational; D006801:Humans; D063731:Mobile Applications; D009042:Motivation; D018910:Video Games
keywords: Intervention; Physical activity; Technology