Impact of Exergaming on Intention to Physical Activity, Self-Efficacy and Physical Self-Concept in Adolescents with Obesity

Introduction: Exergames, characterized by their engaging and enjoyable nature, are posited to enhance physical activity (PA) objectives and associated health outcomes in youth suffering from obesity. Nevertheless, this phenomenon has been infrequently examined in prior research.
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of exergaming on the intention to PA, self-efficacy, and physical self-concept among adolescents with obesity.
Methods: This study employed a semi-experimental design, utilizing a pre-test-post-test design alongside a control group. 50 students with obesity were selected as participants and were randomly and equally allocated into the exergaming and control groups. Participants in the exergaming group were invited to engage in the Exergaming Activity Program once a week for a duration of 12 weeks. The Intention to Physical Activity Scale, the General Self-Efficacy scale and short-form of Physical Self-description Questionnaire were used for measure research variables. Data was analyzed using ANCOVA.
Results: The results revealed significant differences among the groups for all assessed parameters, which include intention to PA (F=15.638, P<0.001), self-efficacy (F=22.964, P<0.001), and physical self-concept (F=40.857, P<0.001), where the exergaming groups had significantly higher scores than the control groups.
Conclusion: These findings emphasize on the demand for diverse and accessible PA options that engage obese young individuals in PA. Consequently, health and physical education instructors might consider incorporating exergames into their curriculum to promote enhanced PA among students.