Assessing Motivational Differences Between Young and Older Adults When Playing an Exergame

Abstract

Currently, exergames are used by different age groups for both recreational and training/rehabilitation purposes. However, little is known about how to design exergames so that they are motivating for specific age groups and health outcomes. Objective: In this paper, we compare motivational factors between healthy young and older adults by analyzing their assessments of the same balance training exergame. Materials and Method: We performed a laboratory-based assessment of a custom-made balance training exergame with twelve healthy young and ten healthy older adults. Their answers to a semi-structured text input questionnaire were analyzed qualitatively. Results: Both age groups were motivated by a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors. We found that the young adults tended to be motivated by the game challenge and the in-game reward system (scores). In contrast, the older adults were more motivated by the perceived health effects (both physical and cognitive) and the joy of playing, with less regard for the in-game rewards. Conclusion:The differences in motivational factors that were identified between young and older adults have several design implications. For older adults less effort can be put on designing the in-game reward system, and more on showing the player the potential health effects of their play. Furthermore, the competition aspect can be downplayed, and more focus placed on simply making the gaming experience itself as joyful as possible.

Electromyography-controlled gamified exercise system for the distal upper extremity: a usability assessment in subacute post-stroke patients

“…This high score may also be attributed to a positive perspective on the potential positive effect on motor function. In addition to enjoyment, a positive impact on health effects has been shown to affect motivation to exercise in older people [33]. Previous work has reported that varying the difficulty of the task to suit the disability has positive effects on motivating users and improving their upper extremity function [34].…”

Making the Best Out of IT: Design and Development of Exergames for Older Adults With Mild Neurocognitive Disorder – A Methodological Paper

“…Depending on the population, different factors determine how more autonomous motivation can be promoted. A small case-control study with a balance exergaming platform evaluated that “older adults were more intrinsically motivated by the joy of playing and extrinsically motivated by the perceived health effects (physical and cognitive), with less regard for the in-game rewards” ( Subramanian et al, 2019 ). For patients with NCDs specifically, a new theoretical model, the ‘PHYT in dementia’ ( Di Lorito et al, 2019 ), was recently introduced.…”

Effect of Gameplay Uncertainty, Display Type, and Age on Virtual Reality Exergames

“…Motivations can change with age: fantasy is a powerful motivational factor in younger children [27], whereas competition and challenge-related motives are stronger in older children and adolescents [69]. Young adults are more motivated by rewarding experiences, while older adults are more inspired by perceived benefits to their health [73]. Young adults tend to prefer visually appealing graphics and music that fit the theme and nature of the game, but older adults pay more attention to the feedback that helps them complete a game [73].…”