Contents :
- What is exergaming?
- Exergaming: integrating video games as part of an entertaining sport
- Why is exergaming so appealing?
- Benefits of exergaming: proven for body and mind
- A variety of formats to suit all tastes
- Exergaming in public places: a trend that's taking root in France!
- Some examples of exergaming
- Interactive wall technology for movement
What is exergaming?
Exergaming is the fusion the fusion of physical exercise and video games. In other words, it's a contraction of "exercise" and "gaming", and refers to video games that actively engage the player's body. Far from being simply a passive pastime, these interactive experiences invite you to move, jump, hit and run, often without even realizing it.
- While the Wii Fit democratized the concept in the 2000s, technology has since evolved considerably. Today, exergaming takes the form of interactive walls, intelligent trampolines, virtual reality platforms and even sensory trails in public or private spaces.
Exergaming: integrating video games as part of an entertaining sport
Imagine a child running from one end of a room to the other, bursting into laughter with each successful throw at a bright wall. A few meters away, a senior citizen calmly repeats arm movements, concentrating on the shapes that appear on the screen. And in the next room, a corporate team cheers each other on in an immersive sports challenge.
Welcome to the world ofexergaming, where movement becomes play... and play becomes sport.
Why is exergaming so appealing?
Because it breaks the codes of traditional sport! Physical activity becomes accessible, inclusive and, above all, fun. And thanks to playful objectives, a strong dose of gamification and an effort often perceived as secondary, the benefits are felt... while having fun! Sport is no longer strenuous, it becomes stimulating and enjoyable!
Benefits of exergaming: proven for body and mind
Connected apps and watches enable precise performance tracking, with progressive, personalized goals. This approach enhances users' intrinsic motivation, making them more inclined to go beyond their limits.
Improved cardiovascular health
Doubt that playing an interactive sports game can make you sweat as much as jogging?
Yet a 30-minute session on platforms such as Ring Fit Adventure or Beat Saber can burn between 150 and 300 calories, the equivalent of a brisk walk.
These forms of active play help improve blood circulation and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease!
Coordination, reflexes and motor skills
- Rhythm, throwing and balancing games stimulate gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination in children and adults alike.
According to the Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, children who regularly play these sports video games improve their coordination by an average of 15%.
A natural motivation to get moving
- One of the great advantages of interactive video games is their motivating power. Gone are the days of repetitive sports sessions: here, every game becomes a mission to accomplish, a score to beat, a world to explore.
- A study by the University of Manchester in 2021 showed that 70% of participants preferred exergaming to classic exercises. The result: more regular exercise.
An ally for children and teenagers
- Faced with an increasingly sedentary generation, exergaming is a valuable alternative. Whether at school or at home, it allows you to integrate physical activity without constraint.
Enjoyable, sporty, regular exercise helps reduce sedentary lifestyles and BMI in children and adults alike. In some cases, it's also a real ally for socialization and human contact, thanks in particular to the cooperation required in certain sports and/or fun video games.
Well-being among active adults
In today's fast-paced society, it's hard to fit sport into your schedule. This is whereexergaming comes in. Playful exercises combined with video games provide an active physical and mental break, which is very good for the mind.
A variety of formats to suit all tastes
Fitness games
- Titles like Wii Fit, Ring Fit Adventure or Les Mills Bodycombat VR offer complete workouts (cardio, renfo, yoga) with integrated performance tracking. These fitness video games give the impression of real follow-up, with fun and sporty exercises worthy of a gym!
Rhythm and dance games
- Just Dance, Dance Central and Beat Saber are ideal for those who want to let off steam with music, alone or with friends.
This allows people with a dancing soul to enjoy the fun of dance with the challenge of following the moves and getting maximum points. It's a way of taking dance to the next level!
Virtual sports
- Boxing, tennis, golf, soccer... Thanks to virtual reality, sports video games like Thrill of the Fight or Racket:Nx immerse players completely.
- As well as playing sports for fun (and we invite you to discover the concept of sportainement), there's of course the classic sport as we know it.
- Some games have taken this on board, allowing fans of a particular sport to play it over and over again from the comfort of their own home, once they've bought the right equipment!
Trampolines and connected surfaces
- In some centers, such as Jump XL or Trampoline Park, trampolines are coupled with LED sensors to transform jumps into interactive experiences.
Some trampoline parks also incorporate interactive walls. This allows you to work off your energy by jumping, while being stimulated by another form of interaction. A spirit of competition takes over, with the focus shifting from the jump itself to what it can achieve! Whether it's reaching a target or meeting a challenge.
The immediate result is a much more engaging and motivating experience for visitors!
Exergaming in public places: a trend that's taking root in France!
Today,exergaming is no longer confined to the home or the living room console. It's invading the places where we live, play and relax, radically transforming the way we approach physical activity.
In playgrounds
In indoor parks, the days of simple slides and ball pits are over. Children are now immersed in worlds where digital walls and sensory courses encourage them to move, run, throw, jump... in short, to exercise while having fun. You can't really distinguish play from sport, and that's exactly the idea: to get bodies moving without even thinking about it.
In shopping centers
Even shopping malls are getting in on the act. Between stores, interactive installations keep families entertained for longer, inviting them to enjoy playful and sporting experiences. Waiting areas are transformed into playgrounds, revitalizing a place and making it a destination in its own right.
In tourism and hospitality
And what about tourism? Hotels, resorts and even cruise ships are adopting exergaming to offer their visitors a whole new range of activities. No need to choose between relaxation and sport: you can move, sweat, laugh... and all without feeling like you're making an effort.
Effective animation for events
At trade fairs or corporate seminars, interactive walls attract attention and create engagement. Participants challenge each other, laugh and play. Exergaming becomes a highly effective animation tool, whether to energize a stand or reinforce team cohesion.
Some examples of exergaming
In practical terms, where do you find these installations? Everywhere.
- In gyms, where connected bikes and treadmills turn training into an adventure.
- In leisure centers, where interactive walls are a hit with young and old alike.
- At school, where you learn by moving, solving puzzles and running.
- In retirement homes, where playful exercises help preserve mobility and balance.
- In the corporate world, where team-building sessions take on a whole new lease of life.
Interactive wall technology for movement
- Interactive walls, like those developed by NeoXperiences, offer a new way of playing sports. Thanks to dynamic games, you can train your reflexes, coordination and concentration without even thinking about it. Physical activity becomes a consequence of the game, not a goal in itself.
You play ball, you aim at targets, you invent a mission to accomplish. It's intuitive, simple, accessible, and above all... ultra fun! It's a perfect illustration of exergaming.
NeoXperiences: exergaming for all audiences
At NeoXperiences, we've made interaction our playground. With our Neo-One interactive wall, we enable everyone - children, teenagers, adults and senior citizens - to enjoy a sporty, fun and collective experience.
Our ambition? For everyone to be able to move, have fun and challenge themselves, in any setting. And it works: the feedback is unanimous, and the desire to play again is always there.
Article published by :
Doriane Perly
Doriane Perly is in charge of communications and marketing at Neoxperiences. Curious, bubbly and a jack-of-all-trades, she oversees digital strategy, content creation and marketing follow-up for interactive products. Passionate about showcasing innovative solutions, she enjoys sharing behind-the-scenes stories, news and team successes.
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