PURPOSE: Two self-selected playing styles of Pokémon Go (PG) have been observed: intermittent and continuous game play. However, it is unknown how playing style impacts volume and pattern of physical activity (PA) that may be accrued during game play. METHODS: Twenty experienced PG players followed a 1.77 km loop during a 30-minute walking condition in which they were instructed to play PG as they normally would. Objective measurement tools (pedometer, accelerometer, heart rate monitor, GPS watch) were used to measure steps, Caloric expenditure, intensity, heart rate, and distance travelled. Direct observation was used to determine number and duration of any stops, which allowed for determination playing style. Specifically, continuous PG was defined as either no stops or 1 stop of ≤15 seconds, and intermittent PG was defined as ≥1 stop of >15 seconds or ≥2 stops of any duration during the 30-minute condition. RESULTS: Most (60%) PG players used the intermittent playing style, and the remainder (40%) used a continuous style. PA levels between participants utilizing continuous and intermittent PG play styles were similar, however, total steps (3394.3±255.8 vs. 2779.1±317.5), aerobic steps (3314.3±318.9 vs. 2387.5±771.8), Caloric expenditure (146.0 (130.0-201.3) vs. 110.0 (89.3-132.3 Kcals)), distance (2.4 (2.3-2.6) vs. 2.0 (1.8-2.1 km)), and moderate minutes (29.7 (27.5-29.8) vs. 25.8 (23.1-27.1)) were significantly greater, while sedentary minutes (0.2 (0.0-1.0) vs. 2.7 (1.7-4.3)) and number of stops (0 (0-0.8) vs. 4.5 (2.3-7.0)) were less, for continuous compared to intermittent PG playing styles. CONCLUSION: Continuous and intermittent game play both appear to be common approaches to playing PG.
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