Effects of Playing Pokemon Go on Physical Activity

Participants in this group were asked not to download or play Pokémon Go during the study period and were asked to simply continue with their normal daily activities. Participants were asked to wear the Fitbit device and use the GPS app on their mobile phones during the 6-week study period. Starting the fifth week, participants were prompted to complete five (5) brief daily surveys on their phones via the EMA app.

Participants in this group were asked to download Pokémon Go and play for at least 30 minutes initially, then play as much or as little as desired during the 4 week intervention period, with no specific instruction or goals for play. Participants were asked to wear the Fitbit device and use the GPS app on their mobile phones during the 6-week study period. Starting the fifth week, participants were prompted to complete five (5) brief daily surveys on their phones via the EMA app.

Participants in this group were asked to download and play Pokémon Go and achieve a minimum player level of 20 within the game during the study period. They were given materials that described game features and functions to show them how to play the game. There were no restrictions on which features to pursue within the game to achieve this goal nor on how long or how frequent their play sessions should be. Upon reaching their goal (Level 20), participants were encouraged to continue to play as much or as little as they desired. Participants were asked to wear the Fitbit device and use the GPS app on their mobile phones during the 6-week study period. Starting the fifth week, participants were prompted to complete five (5) brief daily surveys on their phones via the EMA app.