A large part of my work is helping improve the Physical Activity levels of adolescents.
It just so happens that these same adolescents who require increased levels of Physical Activity are also frequent users of screens & devices, specifically video games.
As I listen to mainstream media & discuss with parents their adolescents’ behaviors, video games are often villainized & seen as a hindrance to improved Health, Wellbeing, & Physical Activity levels.
And yes, there is an abundance of research now which supports this, excessive screen time is detrimental to all components of Health & Wellbeing.
However, I would like to propose that we learn from the digital world instead of opposing it, as I believe it may be able to assist us in implementing successful Physical Activity (or otherwise) interventions.
To discuss this further I would like to introduce you to a concept called the Self Determination Theory.
Self Determination Theory
Self Determination Theory proposes that we are motivated by the following 3 factors:
- Autonomy: Engaging in a behavior because it is perceived to be consistent with intrinsic goals or outcomes that emanate from self.
- Connection: A relationship that links or associates us with something else.
- Competence: The ability to do something successfully or efficiently.
I was a video game user when I was an adolescent, nothing out of the ordinary.
But I must admit when I first encountered the reliance on it by the adolescents I work with, it was a little stunning.
That was until I started to ask questions about their experiences with video games. Some of the questions were:
- What attracts you to [insert game name here]?
- What’s the objective of [insert game name here]?
- How do you play [insert game name here]? And what is your strategy?
There were many more, and the one’s above usually had many follow ups.
What these questions did is open up a discussion, and what I realized in these discussions is how well video games apply the Self Determination Theory.
- For example, some video games provide Autonomy via player driven gameplay, where outcomes are completely dependent on the choice you make. Others display Autonomy via a gameplay which emphasizes exploration. And ultimately most video games provide Autonomy via the reward systems they implement. Whether you are driven to; achieve, acquire, defend, or connect, there is a game for you.
- Next is Connection. One of the biggest fears for most is the lack of social interaction adolescents are getting. What I need to tell you though is, they perceive that they are getting plenty. Yes, it isn’t the most authentic interaction, but most video game users now are using; headsets, chat functions, web cameras to engage with other users for hours on end.
- And finally, Competence, this is a big one. The variety of videos games allows you to find your strengths, and within those games it is incredibly easy to adjust the difficulty of the game play to find the right level of challenge & success.
All of the examples used above, are paraphrased wording from a variety of clientele that I work with. These are the things that attract them to these games and keep them going back.
On the contrary most Physical Activity interventions lack careful thought of the above 3 factors.
We are so frustrated at an adolescents obsessive gaming that we usually attempt to force an activity on them (no Autonomy), already because of this there is a disconnect, and in our haste to ‘get them active’ we haven’t even considered their competence (or willingness to acquire it).
Unfortunately, it is these misfired attempts which then create poor movement experiences, and an avulsion between the adolescents & Physical Activity.
Learning from Video Games
Youth Led recently released a series of Complete Wellbeing resources.
One of which was our Complete Wellbeing for Adolescents Workbook & Resources.
Inside you will find part of our process to implementing the Self Determination Theory when trying to implement a Physical Activity Intervention.
The activity will ask you to consider the 3 factors of the theory (autonomy, connection, competence) & correlate the answers you uncover.
It is in that correlation that we believe you may find your path to a successful Physical Activity intervention.
