Differences in Physical Activity During Walking and Two Pokémon Go Playing Styles

Objective: Two self-selected playing styles of Pokemon Go (PG) have been observed: intermittent and continuous. However, it is unknown how playing style impacts volume and pattern of physical activity (PA) compared with a traditional walking bout. Materials and Methods: Twenty experienced PG players followed a 1.77 km walking loop during two randomly ordered, 30-minute walking conditions: PG and traditional walking. Objective measurement tools (pedometer, accelerometer, heart rate monitor, GPS watch) were used to measure steps, caloric expenditure, intensity, heart rate, and distance traveled, and direct observation was used to determine number of stops and playing style. Results: Most PG players used the intermittent playing style (60%). Traditional walking resulted in significantly greater PA than PG. There was a significant interaction between the PG playing style (continuous, intermittent) and condition (PG, traditional walking). There was no difference in PA variables between continuous and intermittent PG during traditional walking; however, total steps (3394.3 +/- 255.8 vs. 2779.1 +/- 317.5), aerobic steps (3314.3 +/- 318.9 vs. 2387.5 +/- 771.8), caloric expenditure (146.00 [130.0-201.3] vs. 110.0 [89.3-132.3 Kcals]), distance (2.4 [2.3-2.6] vs. 2.0 [1.8-2.1 km]), and moderate minutes (29.7 [27.5-29.8] vs. 25.8 [23.1-27.1]) were significantly greater, while sedentary minutes (0.2 [0-1.0] vs. 2.7 [1.7-4.3]) and number of stops (0 [0-0.8] vs. 4.5 [2.3-7.0]) were less, for continuous compared with intermittent PG. There was a main effect of condition on PA for intermittent PG players, but not continuous PG players. Conclusion: Continuous PG produced similar PA to traditional walking, while intermittent PG reduced PA, nevertheless PG may be a strategy for increasing PA participation.