Universiti Malaya Community Engagement Centre (UMCares)
E-Sports Exergaming for Youths
Introduction
With the arrival of the fourth industrial revolution and the uncertainty of an endemic, a digital platform is needed to enhance exercise and sports participation in the new era. Additionally, the rise in obesity and rapid spread of non-communicable diseases associated with leading a sedentary lifestyle, calls for action in promoting exercise platforms that can tap the expanding digital world. E-sports exergaming is a type of exergame based on video games that requires active body movement while playing. This serious game genre (Serious Game) was introduced with the specific purpose of improving health and fitness among individuals who are less active while also providing a fun type of physical activity. Exergames have gained tremendous following among the youths, offering large-scale participation via a host of online networking. Exergaming has also report better immersion, motivation and enjoyment perceived, as opposed to conventional exercise programs. In the context of sports participation, the project sought to identify whether various modes of e-sports exergaming can be acquired and transferred into real-life skills through virtual reality-based training. This project also seeks to empower equal sports participation among both male and female players, as well reducing the gap between players who are wheelchair users and able-bodied players. Findings from this project may help to pave new policy recommendations or training guidelines that are backed by robust evidence-based data.
Our Team
Dr. Maziah Mat Rosly (Team Leader)
Ir. Hadi Mat Rosly
Dr. Ir. Nasrul Anuar Abd Razak
Dr. Benedict Francis
Dr. Nor Eeza Zainal Abidin
The methodology
Most communities in Malaysia are still not well versed about the risks of post-Covid- 19 infection, also known as "Long Covid". Although individuals infected with the Covid-19 virus may have had mild symptoms, not many are fluent with the long-term effects associated with the infection, which can include reduced cognition, exaggerated inflammatory responses or increased cardiac infarction. Apart from that, individuals also tend to have high levels of stress and depression as a result of the pressure of work commitments during the Covid-19 endemic.
This program has conducted various e-sports exergaming training and competition activities completely online from the respective participants' homes or on-site from various designated centers. The training featured in this program includes body health care, basic physical activity skills, mechanical training and endurance training to prepare them for e-sports exergaming competitions. Webinars and fully online consultation sessions were also conducted personally to individuals in order to increase their knowledge about the importance of physical activity levels and exercise.
This method of e-sports integration seeks to provide a playing field where people with a disability or individuals of different genders can participate equally. The study also sought to identify logistical and financial advantages that may be inherent in exergame-based platforms, such as being portable, space-efficient, fun-enhancing, indoor and AI powered.
Our collaborators, partners and sponsors
GAPS (Gabungan anak-anak Palsi Serebrum),
PLPP (Pusat Latihan Perindustrian dan Pemulihan OKU, Bangi)
Wheelchair Tennis Malaysia (WTM)
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti
Malaya.
Impact on the community and our UM students
Impact to the community
The program has had profound impact on both the society and economy. Exergame training programs had improved knowledge and skills on e-sports, as well as the health and well-being of the players. The programs had also reduced gaps in sports and exercise participation by promoting social inclusion and gender equality through “fair play” and “gentleman’s game”, especially for disadvantaged people (i.e wheelchair users, females).
Impact to the UM's students
The e-sports exergaming project has provided an avenue for UM students to participate in e-sports tournaments. This opportunity has helped to improve students’ physical activity levels, sports confidence and motor skills in e-sports exergaming.
Moving forward
E-sports exergaming has the potential to tap economic expansion in modern-day sports participation by providing an international network of e-sports exergaming opportunities for players to improve health and well-being. The program also aims to improve participation among B40, students and disadvantaged populations through digital inclusion in e-sports. The team’s ultimate aim is to provide a club/social structure for e-sports exergamers to come together to play exergaming.
Last Update: 24/08/2022
