Objective: Competitive exercise games are popular in areas like rehabilitation and weight loss due to their positive effects on motivation. However, it is unclear whether a human opponent is necessary, as the same benefits may be achievable with a "human-like" computer-controlled opponent or a human who talks to the player without playing the game. Our objective was to compare four opponent types in a competitive exercise game: a simple computer opponent, "human-like" computer opponent, human opponent, and a simple computer opponent accompanied by a player-selected human who chats with the player. Materials and Methods: Sixteen participants (3 women, 24.4 ± 7.7 years old) played a competitive arm exercise game in the above four conditions. Exercise intensity was measured with inertial sensors, and four motivation scales were measured with the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory. After playing, participants answered several questions regarding their preferences. Results: The human opponent was the favorite for 14 of 16 participants and resulted in the highest interest/enjoyment and exercise intensity. All participants preferred the human opponent over the computer opponent accompanied by a human companion. Finally, 12 of 16 participants preferred the "human-like" computer opponent over the simple one. Conclusion: Our results have two implications for competitive exercise games. First, they indicate that developing computer-controlled opponents with more human-like behavior is worthwhile, but that the best results are achieved with human opponents. Second, social interaction without in-game interaction does not provide an enjoyable, intense experience. However, our results should be verified with different target populations for exercise games.
Objective: Competitive exercise games are popular in areas like rehabilitation and weight loss due to their positive effects on motivation. However, it is unclear whether a human opponent is necessary, as the same benefits may be achievable with a "human-like" computer-controlled opponent or a human who talks to the player without playing the game. Our objective was to compare four opponent types in a competitive exercise game: a simple computer opponent, "human-like" computer opponent, human opponent, and a simple computer opponent accompanied by a player-selected human who chats with the player. Materials and Methods: Sixteen participants (3 women, 24.4 ± 7.7 years old) played a competitive arm exercise game in the above four conditions. Exercise intensity was measured with inertial sensors, and four motivation scales were measured with the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory. After playing, participants answered several questions regarding their preferences. Results: The human opponent was the favorite for 14 of 16 participants and resulted in the highest interest/enjoyment and exercise intensity. All participants preferred the human opponent over the computer opponent accompanied by a human companion. Finally, 12 of 16 participants preferred the "human-like" computer opponent over the simple one. Conclusion: Our results have two implications for competitive exercise games. First, they indicate that developing computer-controlled opponents with more human-like behavior is worthwhile, but that the best results are achieved with human opponents. Second, social interaction without in-game interaction does not provide an enjoyable, intense experience. However, our results should be verified with different target populations for exercise games.
Authors: Sanne C van der Pas; Jeanine A Verbunt; Dorien E Breukelaar; Rachma van Woerden; Henk A Seelen Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil Date: 2011-09 Impact factor: 3.966
Authors: Lukas Zimmerli; Mario Jacky; Lars Lünenburger; Robert Riener; Marc Bolliger Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil Date: 2013-03-07 Impact factor: 3.966