The Pokémon Go app is among the most downloaded and has converted more than 20 million people around the world. Good news at first glance for global health, because this game of catching Pokémon creatures would have the main advantage ofencourage physical activity. Yes, but up to what point? Researchers temper the enthusiasm of the early days and conclude that the game helps to move, but to a certain point. In the Christmas edition of British Medical Journal (BMJ), the researchers measured the number of steps taken by a panel of 1,182 players over a period of six weeks. Their half-fig, half-grape conclusion shows that play helps people walk more, but after two weeks, the positive impact wanes.
In detail for the 1182 participants aged 18 to 35 observed in August 2016 (intermediate level of play or above for half), the game made it possible to achieve 11 minutes more walking per day. On the other hand, the number of additional steps began to decrease after two weeks. This benefit in terms of physical activity even completely disappeared after six weeks.
A smartphone game, an ephemeral motivation to move
As early as last summer, even before the game’s release in France, many voices were heard to extol the health benefits of becoming a Pokémon hunter. The hunt with his smartphone of these characters has indeed encouraged more than one to get out of his sedentary lifestyle. It has even been suggested that Pokémon Go would be a good tool in the fight against overweight, obesity and maybe even type 2 diabetes. A virtuous circle which remains to be demonstrated in the long term, in view of this study by the BMJ.
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