Former HALOite Dr. Allana LeBlanc and Research Scientist Dr. Jean-Philippe Chaput are authors on a paper, “Pokémon Go: A game changer for the physical inactivity crisis?,” that was recently published in Preventive Medicine. Citation details and a summary of the paper are below.

LeBlanc AG, Chaput JP. Pokémon Go: A game changer for the physical inactivity crisis? Prev Med. 2016 Nov 14. pii: S0091-7435(16)30365-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2016.11.012. [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract

There is an urgent need to find novel strategies aimed at motivating people to go outside and move more. Pokémon Go blends a fun smartphone game with real-life, outdoor physical activity. Initial reports suggest it is a successful population level strategy to increase physical activity levels. Further research is needed to understand the long-term risks and benefits of this new game. Free-to-play location-based augmented reality mobile games are likely to be a new model for promoting healthy active living in the future.