Effects of Gamification on Physical Adaptations to Training: A Systematic Review

Gamification, defined as the application of game design elements to non-game contexts, has become increasingly popular within education, physical activity, and health. Previous literature has demonstrated that gamification supports motivation, provides positive experiences, and contributes to health and wellbeing through motivation, competence and autonomy, creating a fun, engaging and rewarding environment. Additionally, gamification of physical activity has been shown to positively impact adherence and enjoyment leading to improved physical health. Typically, gamification literature investigates how technology, applications, and exergaming impact physical activity and adherence. Currently there is a lack of evidence investigating the effects of gamification on physical adaptations during physical training. The aim of this systematic review is to establish evidence for the effects of gamification of physical training on chronic physical adaptations. Specifically, it seeks to determine the effect of gamification strategies, such as games-based training, small-sided games training, point systems, leaderboards, augmented performance enhancing quantifiable feedback, and challenge-based activities influence physical adaptations (i.e. strength, speed, power, aerobic, and anaerobic performance, CoD, and agility).