Exercise Through Games project
The Exercise Through Games project (Liikettä peleistä) pilots the use of exergames in early childhood education and school environments. The aim is to increase daily activity among children and young people.
What is exergaming?
Exergaming combines physical activity with video gaming. The player uses their own body to control what happens in the game.
The key advantage of exergaming is the way it combines the benefits of exercise with the excitement of video games. Often the players do not even realise they are exercising.
In Espoo, exergames have been tested in schools, sports facilities and libraries. Thanks to exergames, children and young people have already done more than 2,000 additional hours of exercise in schools.
Why utilize exergaming?
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Increased everyday activity
- In Espoo, exergames have generated over 2000 hours of movement in schools.
- Gamification attracts those who don't feel comfortable with traditional exercise.
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An effective way to develop motor skills and improve well-being
- Motor skills have been shown to improve even after a short period of exergaming.
- A physical activity lasting just a few minutes can enhance alertness.
- Exergames help develop skills such as cognitive abilities, physical performance, and problem-solving.
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A social event
- In schools in Espoo, it has been noticed that exergames bring students together.
- Exergaming is suitable for everyone, as most of the games are accessible.
Exercise Through Games – exergames as a source of wellbeing and learning
The project experiments with various exergaming solutions in early childhood education and school environments, encouraging children and young people to be more active through play and gamification.
The aim of the project is to:
- increase physical activity among children and young people and support the development of their motor skills through games that are both fun and beneficial;
- provide Espoo’s day care centres, comprehensive schools and upper secondary schools with more tools to tackle sedentary lifestyles.
