Analysis of physical fitness using exergames in young soccer players and non-players: a pilot study

Abstract

The objective of this research was to identify whether the use of exergames can help improve physical fitness through Burpee and analyse whether exergames can improve agility and spatial-temporal perception in young soccer players and non-players. This is a descriptive exploratory research with qualitative-quantitative data analysis. Participants were children (10.8 ± 1.8 years). For this sample, it was observed that exergames did not promote a significant increase in physical fitness (Group 1 × Group 2= 95%CI (-6.39–6.59), p> 1.00; Group 3 × Group 4= 95%CI (-1.27–3.47), p> 1.00). In contrast, exergames promoted a significant improvement in agility and spatiotemporal perception for group 2 (Agility Pre × Post: Z= -2.828; p= 0.05; Spatiotemporal perception Pre × Post: Z= -2.828; p= 0.05). We understand that exergames did not improve physical fitness in young soccer players and that they also did not provide improvements in agility or spatiotemporal perception. However, for the non-athlete public, there was a significant improvement in agility and spatial-temporal perception.