Let's Move!: The Social and Health Contributions From Pokémon GO

Abstract

The aim of this article was to analyze how players of Pokemon GO could adopt a healthier and active lifestyle meanwhile or after using the game, observing how active they could become in their daily routines. The methodology involved a qualitative analysis involving a sample with players who were invited to complete an online questionnaire to answer specific questions about lifestyle and healthy choices. This study involved 125 players 84 males and 41 females in the city of Pelotas South of Brazil that have played for at least six months the game. As results, it was possible to observe that users have changed many habits, specifically regarding physical activity gains, as going more often to practice different sports than only running, walking or cycling, and many of players were getting into an active living practicing exercises with friends and family, out of the game. Also, many players commented that meeting new users was a good way to socialize and making groups to walk or run together, getting an extra motivation for other activities out of the game. We conclude that Pokemon GO is one of the first mobile-based gameplays that can be used to promote a healthier lifestyle with a new way of interaction, changing sedentary lifestyles with a big potential to be used in Health Education.