Running App “Zombies, Run!” Users' Engagement with Physical Activity: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Introduction: Sufficient physical activity is important for all aspects of health. Smartphone apps and the use of gamification, such as narrative-based augmented reality (AR) have a great potential to engage a variety of people in more PA. Zombies, Run! (ZR) is the world's most popular running exergame app and therefore a suitable model to understand what users find engaging.Objective: To understand people's motivation and experience of using a narrative-based AR exergame app ZR for physical activity.Method: ZR users were randomly selected for interview from a quantitative ZR users survey.Interviews which were guided by a semistructured topic guide were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using inductive and deductive thematic analysis.Results: Participants were 15 males and 15 females aged 16-53 years (Mean=36, SD=10), from 13 countries, with the largest proportions from the USA (30%) and UK (23%). The majority (73 %) used ZR while running, followed by cycling and walking. Five overarching themes that emerged were: 'Reasons for starting and staying with ZR', 'Preferred features', 'Perceived effects of ZR', 'Pros and cons of the app'. 16 subthemes included the attraction of gamification and narrative appeal, desire to add something fun to physical activity or to distract from the negative physiological effects of physical activity. Users' favourite features were the feelings of immersion and presence through narrative, storyline and characters. The narrative motivated participants to engage in PA for longer sessions and encouraged long-term use. Conclusions:This study identified a number of factors that users found attractive in an AR running exergame, particularly narrative. Our findings suggest that ZR may engage people with exercise by modifying their perception of physical activity through a storyline or narrative, dissociating the players from the effort of exertion. AR narrative-based apps may be an effective way of engaging people with health-related behaviours or habit-forming activities.

Associations of Problematic Internet Use, Weight-Related Self-Stigma, and Nomophobia with Physical Activity: Findings from Mainland China, Taiwan, and Malaysia

“…provides running scenarios and interactive missions to encourage the players to exercise. Pokémon GO as an exergame uses the number of daily walking steps as rewards to motivate players to engage in exercise and outdoor activities [45,46]. Individuals who have nomophobia may worry if they do not have their smartphone nearby and are unable to monitor or be rewarded for their physical activity.…”

Systematic Review on the Impact of Mobile Applications with Augmented Reality to Improve Health

“…Farič et al [ 15 ] and Farič et al [ 16 ] investigated the potential of virtual reality (VR) and narrative-based AR applications. The former found that VR shows promise in engaging adolescents in physical activity, although further development is needed.…”

The Change in Exergaming From Before to During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Young Adults: Longitudinal Study

“…Zombies, Run! also had an increase of 2 million users during COVID-19 [ 37 ]. Further, Ellis et al [ 38 ] reported that among 2004 young adult gamers (aged 30.5 years on average), Pokémon Go and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite were played frequently during the pandemic to maintain exercise levels and for social connection.…”