A comparative study of exergaming and traditional fitness circuits: Effects on MVPA, sedentary time, and enjoyment among college students

Exergaming has emerged as a novel tool in the field of physical education, integrating digital gaming elements with physical movement. While traditional fitness circuits remain a cornerstone of exercise in Physical Education (PE) curricula, their repetitive and often monotonous nature can reduce long-term student adherence. The present research compares the impact of exergaming and traditional fitness circuits on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sedentary time, and enjoyment levels among college students. Fitness band accelerometers were employed to measure physical activity levels and sedentary time, while Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) were used to assessed subjective enjoyment.
Results revealed that both groups achieved similar MVPA, though exergaming participants demonstrated significantly reduced sedentary time and higher enjoyment scores, suggesting that exergaming may complement or even substitute traditional circuits, especially for increasing engagement and motivation. By highlighting the potential of digital interactivity in structured exercise settings, this study contributes to evolving pedagogical approaches within higher education PE programs.