JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Exergaming is associated with positive health benefits. However, little is known about what motivates the decision to exergame in young people.

Objective:

Our objectives were twofold: to develop, validate and describe the psychometric properties of a new Reasons to Exergame (RTEX) scale, and to examine the test retest reliability of self-report exergaming behaviour measures.

Methods:

In Study 1, we identified scale items, conducted an exploratory factor analysis of the RTEX scale, and examined how the factors identified relate to frequency and intensity of exergaming in a population-based sample of 265 young adults. In Study 2, we examined the test retest reliability of the RTEX scale and of self-report measures of past-week exergaming duration and intensity among 147 college students.

Results:

We identified four factors in the RTEX scale: exergaming for fitness, exergaming for enjoyment, preferring exergaming over other gaming options, and choosing exergaming after evaluating competing interests (i.e., preferring exergaming to sports). The test-retest reliability of the four factors (κ ranged from 0.7 to 0.8) and self-report exergaming duration (κ ranged from 0.4 to 0.9) was adequate. Exergaming for fitness and enjoyment were positively associated with frequency of exergaming with friends and family, and with exergaming intensity.

Conclusions:

The RTEX scale provides a psychometrically sound instrument to measure reasons for exergaming. There was evidence of test retest reliability for all four factors that comprise RTEX and evidence of convergent construct validity against exergaming behavior for two of the four factors. Future studies should attempt to replicate these findings in larger and more diverse samples. Clinical Trial: N/A