Paris Games Week 2026 highlights exergaming

The Paris Games Week 2026 has announced its premieres and new releases, offering a variety of competitions and tests until Sunday. The event showcases the growing trend of exergaming, which combines physical activity with video game elements.

Exergaming blends exercise and play

Exergaming, a term derived from "exercise" and "gaming," transforms physical activities like running, dancing, or boxing into playful experiences. It allows players to engage in physical movement while enjoying the interactive elements of video games.

Expert cautions on exergaming's limits

Jérôme Auger, a sports physiotherapist and osteopath, notes that while these games are enjoyable and allow movement, they cannot replace more sustained physical activities. He emphasizes the importance of longer, more consistent exercise for overall health.

Player experiences with exergames

A Reddit user describes his experience with Fitness Boxing 2, a fitness program available on the Nintendo Switch, noting the significant physical changes he has experienced. Like Just Dance or Ring Fit Adventure, active video games are now a common feature in the gaming section and have a prominent place at the Paris Games Week 2026.

Event highlights gamified sports

The Paris Games Week 2026, in collaboration with the Île-de-France region, features a sports zone with physical challenges. This highlights the growing public interest in gamifying sports, made possible by consoles that detect movement and allow players to control their avatars through body movement.

Exergames and WHO guidelines

While exergames are fun and sometimes humorous, they raise the question of whether they meet the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for physical activity. The WHO advises at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week for adults aged 18 to 64.

Limitations of exergames

According to Auger, it is rare to play Just Dance for more than thirty minutes, as it tends to become annoying beyond that point. Some exergames, such as Fitness Boxing or Ring Fit Adventure, can work the cardiovascular and muscular systems, but only if players are fully engaged.

Exergames vs. traditional exercise

Auger explains that some people may simply shake the controller without fully engaging, which won't replace the benefits of activities like walking. While exergames can motivate, they are not a substitute for more sustained physical activity, which offers additional benefits such as joint health and balance.

Research on exergames' impact

Research has shown that active video games can have a positive impact on the body mass index and cardiorespiratory capacity of children and adolescents, but the effect is moderate. These games cannot be considered a substitute for traditional physical activity but might be useful in promoting it.

Potential for school use

A pilot study among teachers found that exergames could serve as a source of motivation, particularly in a school setting. This could be a valuable approach in combating sedentariness among both young people and the elderly.

Long-term behavior change

Auger explains that exergames can be a good way to motivate people, but they can only be a transition. Gamification sustains motivation and allows people to surpass themselves, but it is not enough to trigger long-term behavior change.

Exergames and sedentary lifestyles

While playing a few rounds of bowling or tennis on a home console, or a virtual boxing training session, does not compensate for a lack of daily activity, Auger notes that we are now talking about "active sedentary people." Studies show that an hour of sport every two days is not enough to compensate for seven or eight hours spent sitting at the office.

Exergames for the elderly

Exergames have other advantages, particularly for the elderly. Research has shown that they can improve social well-being, cognitive functions, and motor skills. A study concludes that these technologies offer innovative, motivating, and personalized interventions.

Future research needed

However, further research is "necessary to better understand their functioning and evaluate their specific effects on health and well-being." Regardless of the generation, these video games are not an alternative to sports but can be an alternative to passive screen time.

Conclusion on exergames

Auger concludes that we need to use all available resources, and these games can stimulate the youngest. They are not an alternative to sports but can serve as a motivator for physical activity.