Gamifying Physical and Mental Health: An Umbrella Review of Pokémon GO’s Public Health Impacts
Regular physical activity plays a vital role in supporting physical, mental, and social well-being, particularly among younger populations. However, rapid technological advancements and the growing popularity of digital entertainment have led to increasingly sedentary lifestyles. Pokémon GO, an augm...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Quality in Sport |
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| Online Access: | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/60063 |
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| author | Michał krawczyk Marek Jarosław Molenda Oliwia Brygida Woszczyńska Paweł Maciej Rycąbel Mateusz Romaniuk Maria Wachowska Mateusz Paniak Wojciech Jan Sowiński Marta Szymura Agnieszka Ewelina Wojciechowska |
| author_facet | Michał krawczyk Marek Jarosław Molenda Oliwia Brygida Woszczyńska Paweł Maciej Rycąbel Mateusz Romaniuk Maria Wachowska Mateusz Paniak Wojciech Jan Sowiński Marta Szymura Agnieszka Ewelina Wojciechowska |
| author_sort | Michał krawczyk |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Regular physical activity plays a vital role in supporting physical, mental, and social well-being, particularly among younger populations. However, rapid technological advancements and the growing popularity of digital entertainment have led to increasingly sedentary lifestyles. Pokémon GO, an augmented reality (AR) game, has emerged as a potential tool to counteract this trend by encouraging outdoor activity and real-world social interaction. Despite numerous studies indicating positive effects of the game on physical activity, mental health, and social engagement, the existing research remains fragmented. This umbrella review aims to synthesize current evidence on the public health impact of Pokémon GO. By analyzing findings from systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and literature reviews, this study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the game’s influence on health-related behaviors. The review highlights Pokémon GO's potential to promote physical activity and social connectivity, while also acknowledging the need for further standardized, long-term studies to fully understand both its benefits and associated risks.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-017c98bd5bbc4e2d99cb80042f9ba61a |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2450-3118 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Quality in Sport |
| spelling | doaj-art-017c98bd5bbc4e2d99cb80042f9ba61a2025-08-20T02:15:33ZengNicolaus Copernicus University in ToruńQuality in Sport2450-31182025-05-014110.12775/QS.2025.41.60063Gamifying Physical and Mental Health: An Umbrella Review of Pokémon GO’s Public Health ImpactsMichał krawczykhttps://orcid.org/0009-0008-9697-6548Marek Jarosław Molendahttps://orcid.org/0009-0002-7900-4970Oliwia Brygida Woszczyńskahttps://orcid.org/0009-0001-7724-544XPaweł Maciej Rycąbelhttps://orcid.org/0009-0008-4039-8312Mateusz Romaniukhttps://orcid.org/0009-0007-1486-5522Maria Wachowskahttps://orcid.org/0009-0004-2069-9469Mateusz Paniakhttps://orcid.org/0009-0009-0110-9634Wojciech Jan Sowińskihttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-2267-4773Marta Szymura https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2776-8974Agnieszka Ewelina Wojciechowskahttps://orcid.org/0009-0009-3344-9115Regular physical activity plays a vital role in supporting physical, mental, and social well-being, particularly among younger populations. However, rapid technological advancements and the growing popularity of digital entertainment have led to increasingly sedentary lifestyles. Pokémon GO, an augmented reality (AR) game, has emerged as a potential tool to counteract this trend by encouraging outdoor activity and real-world social interaction. Despite numerous studies indicating positive effects of the game on physical activity, mental health, and social engagement, the existing research remains fragmented. This umbrella review aims to synthesize current evidence on the public health impact of Pokémon GO. By analyzing findings from systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and literature reviews, this study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the game’s influence on health-related behaviors. The review highlights Pokémon GO's potential to promote physical activity and social connectivity, while also acknowledging the need for further standardized, long-term studies to fully understand both its benefits and associated risks. https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/60063Augmented Reality GamesPokémon GOPhysical ActivityMental HealthSocial Interactions |
| spellingShingle | Michał krawczyk Marek Jarosław Molenda Oliwia Brygida Woszczyńska Paweł Maciej Rycąbel Mateusz Romaniuk Maria Wachowska Mateusz Paniak Wojciech Jan Sowiński Marta Szymura Agnieszka Ewelina Wojciechowska Gamifying Physical and Mental Health: An Umbrella Review of Pokémon GO’s Public Health Impacts Quality in Sport Augmented Reality Games Pokémon GO Physical Activity Mental Health Social Interactions |
| title | Gamifying Physical and Mental Health: An Umbrella Review of Pokémon GO’s Public Health Impacts |
| title_full | Gamifying Physical and Mental Health: An Umbrella Review of Pokémon GO’s Public Health Impacts |
| title_fullStr | Gamifying Physical and Mental Health: An Umbrella Review of Pokémon GO’s Public Health Impacts |
| title_full_unstemmed | Gamifying Physical and Mental Health: An Umbrella Review of Pokémon GO’s Public Health Impacts |
| title_short | Gamifying Physical and Mental Health: An Umbrella Review of Pokémon GO’s Public Health Impacts |
| title_sort | gamifying physical and mental health an umbrella review of pokemon go s public health impacts |
| topic | Augmented Reality Games Pokémon GO Physical Activity Mental Health Social Interactions |
| url | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/60063 |
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