The study examined the impact of exergames (Wii games) and health messages framed using protection motivation theory on children's physical activity beliefs and intentions. A 6-week experiment with 454 children found that playing exergames positively influenced attitudes, self-efficacy, and perceived control, especially when combined with threat-framed health messages. However, coping-framed messages were generally more effective. The findings suggest schools and parents could use exergames to promote physical activity and health messages should be framed to empower rather than threaten children.

1. Can Exergames Impart Health Messages? Game Play, Framing and Drivers of Physical Activity among Children Dr. May O. Lwin & Shelly Malik Wee Kim Wee School of Communication & Information The International Communication Association’s 2011 Virtual Conference

2. Introduction Children and adolescents were likely to be found insufficiently active (Lee & Trost, 2006; Nader, Bradley, Houts, McRitchie, & O’Brien, 2008). Decline in the amount of physical activity played a role in the prevalence of obesity (Steinbeck, 2001). Communication messages have been used in campaigns or individually in battling obesity-related behaviour. Exergaming has recently been seen as an effective intervention to encourage physical activity (e.g., White, Kilding, & Schofield, 2009).

3. Objective To examine the impact of these interventions … exergaming, specifically playing Wii active video games, and b) PMT (Protection Motivation Theory) - based health message … on the various antecedents of physical activity intention and behaviour among grade 5 children in Singapore.

8. Study Design Six-weeks experiment employing a 2 x 2 between-subject factorial design. Paper and pen survey consisting of well-established measures was implemented at the end of the experiment to 454 students. Mean age = 10.2 years-old 58.2% males 59.8% Chinese, 22.2% Malay, 11.3% Indian, 6.7% other races

10. Significant for attitudes, self-efficacy, and PCB.

11. Marginally significant for group norm.

12. Not significant for subjective norm and intention.

13. Simple effects tests are as follows:Not significant for all DVs RQ1

15. Significant for attitudes, self-efficacy, and PCB.

16. Marginally significant for group norm.

17. Not significant for subjective norm and intention.

18. Simple effects tests are as follows:Not significant for all DVs RQ1 RQ2 Significant for attitudes, self-efficacy, PCB, and group norm

20. Significant for attitudes, self-efficacy, and PCB.

21. Marginally significant for group norm.

22. Not significant for subjective norm and intention.

23. Simple effects tests are as follows:Not significant for all DVs RQ1 RQ2 Significant for attitudes, self-efficacy, PCB, and group norm RQ3a Not significant for all DVs

25. Significant for attitudes, self-efficacy, and PCB.

26. Marginally significant for group norm.

27. Not significant for subjective norm and intention.

28. Simple effects tests are as follows:Not significant for all DVs RQ1 RQ2 Significant for attitudes, self-efficacy, PCB, and group norm RQ3a RQ3b Significant for attitudes, self-efficacy & PCB Not significant for all DVs

29. Results - Graph

30. Discussion The effect of exergaming is more pronounced when threat-framed message was deployed over coping-framed message. Incorporating exergames into the PE curriculum may promote children’s physical activity beliefs to equal levels regardless of which health message framing they were exposed to. Playing Wii active games could contribute to developing the children’s confidence which may lead to more positive self-efficacy, attitude, and PCB toward physical activity. The multiplayer and group play function of the Wii games could have played a role in the development of social bonds and relationships, and therefore, enhancing the level of group norm. The study affirms past findings that coping-framed health message was more effective than threat-framed message.

31. Implications Schools could incorporate exergaming into their PE programs to enhance students’ beliefs toward physical activity. Schools can also hold exergaming competition and link the types of sports to the types of exergames played. Parents can consider utilizing digital games that involve physical interaction to substitute more sedentary activities. Exergames could also provide an alternative for in-door physical activity in places with extreme weathers. Health messages related to physical activity should be communicated in coping frames instead of threat frames.

32. END