The IAA One Minute Blog

Pokémon Go, the newest augmented reality mobile game seems to be the next big craze. But can it help players improve their health?

Reality Mobile Games

You’ve seen them around town, Pokémon Go players of all ages popping up everywhere you are. While this may seem odd to some people, it could be considered a healthy activity.

The game requires players to actually move from one location to another. Some experts have noted that it might be a fun way for gamers to walk the 10,000 steps per day that are typically recommended to help lose weight. Exercise and outdoor activities should be performed for a minimum of 30 minutes a day for healthy adults.

While Pokémon Go may be the latest craze, there are other mobile games that require physical activity:

• Geocaching: An outdoor game app in which people discover hidden containers around the world.
• Spec Trek: An augmented reality ghost-hunting game in which users must walk or run to various locations.
• Superhero Workout: The game requires users to complete exercises in the real-world, from abdominal crunches to arm punches.
• The Walk: Gamers must carry a package that could save the world to a mysterious destination. As the player walks during the day, he/she gets closer and closer to the destination.
• Zombies, Run: An immersive running game app in which gamers are tasked with surviving a zombie apocalypse. The app requires gamers to jog.

Grownups may have their Fitbit to get to their 10,000 steps, but these games could help your child (and maybe the entire family) get in on the action!

Be Healthy and Safe

While these mobile games get people out into the world (you can’t catch Pokémon just by sitting on your couch) there have been some concerns regarding safety.

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons is urging gamers to be mindful of their surroundings and not injure themselves by walking with their eyes glued to their cell phone screen. Generally, nearly four out of 10 Americans have personally witnessed a distracted walking incident, in which people on their phones have bumped or tripped into something, according to a recent academy study.

While keeping an eye out for where you are going is crucial, being aware of the people around you is also important. Parents may want to consider discussing “stranger danger” with their children and their own family’s rules on interacting with people they do not know. It could help to play the game in a group or pairs to ensure safety.

What IAA has to Say

It is still early to tell if Pokémon Go and games like it can make a difference to a person’s health. It is however getting people off the couch and into the world. Insurance Administrator of America wants you to find an activity that gets you out of the house and moving! Make this the summer that you get out and move. Just think of IAA as your third party health monitor, cheering you on to make it to the next mile.

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