Acute Effects of Exergaming Session and Play Mode on Physiological and Psychosocial Responses in Sedentary Young Adults: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Purpose: This study investigated the acute effects of Nintendo ARMS exergaming on physiological and psychosocial responses in sedentary young adults. Methods: Fifty-two male college students (20.14 ± 1.34 years) participated in a 2 (exergaming session: pretest versus posttest) × 2 (play mode: single-player versus multiplayer mode) experiment. Participants were assigned to single-player or multiplayer modes based on their registration preference, with multiplayer participants playing in pairs. All participants completed a 30-min exergaming session. Energy expenditure and mean heart rate were recorded during gameplay, while reaction time, positive affect, and sociability were assessed before and after the session. Semistructured interviews were conducted to collect participants’ feedback. Results: Nintendo ARMS exergaming achieved moderate-intensity physical activity (PA). Reaction time and positive affect improved significantly from pretest to posttest. No significant differences between play modes were observed for energy expenditure, heart rate, reaction time, and positive affect. Sociability increased significantly only in multiplayer mode, whereas no significant pre-post change was observed in single-player mode. Participants generally reported positive attitudes toward exergaming and considered it an enjoyable and convenient form of home-based exercise. Conclusion: Nintendo ARMS can provide moderate PA, and short-term physiological and psychosocial benefits, with multiplayer sessions showing particular potential for enhancing sociability.