The technological revolution has impacted educational, cultural and sports spaces, moving away from new generations of physical and sports activities. Instead, free time has been allocated to the use of video games, platforms of streaming and social networks.
The invention of “Phygital Games”Or digital games of the future seeks to innovate in electronic sport and encourage physical activity. This fusion combines video games with outdoor activities in categories such as boxing, soccer, basketball, dance and cycling, encouraging children and young people to perform physical exercise.
Pablo Melgar, president of the Guatemala Electronic Sports Association (ADEG), explains that Phygital Games They have aroused the interest of young people in physical activity, managing to consolidate worldwide with tournaments in different categories.
According to Melgar, there is a wide variety of video games and disciplines that incorporate physical activity, revolutionizing sport. In Guatemala, The combination of football with Sports FIFA It has been a pioneer in motivating sports practice.
“The Phygital Games They have a year of having become worldwide, and Guatemala is one of the 100 countries that already practice them. The Phygital Cup Guatemala has become a reference model, with 16 basketball teams, 16 soccer teams and 16 dancers, ”adds Melgar.
Conventional sports such as skateboardingBMX and mixed martial arts are also added as new categories in other countriesexpanding the participation options according to the interests of the minors.
Jaime Falla, streamer Guatemalan, says the Phygital Games They are the future of video games. “The new generations accept the use of technology, so encouraging them from that point to physical activity is an opportunity to offer them a profitable recreation.”
Virtual Sports
Currently, there are video games that integrate virtual reality and sensory technology to promote physical activity while playing.
For example, cycling simulators as “Swift”They use a stationary bicycle connected to a virtual reality device that recreates travel spaces.
Failure comments that games like Just dancein combination with sensory controls such as PlayStation Moveallow choreographies while the system detects and evaluates user movements.
Video game experts highlight that The use of technologies such as Apple Vision Pro Improves the experience of virtual games and increase physical activity through sensory controls that allow to dance, practice shot or drive, making it a unique experience.
Among the most interactive virtual reality games are:
- AWKENING METER VR
- LEgendary such
- Electro Swing Essentials 2
- Mr Chess on Quest 3
- Les Mills Bodycombat
- Survivorman VR
- Demeter and The Asklepios Chronicles
Games for children
Experts recommend prioritizing games that stimulate senses and motor skills in children under 14 or 15 years. Some examples are Mario Kart, Pokémon Go and sports such as football, BMX, dance or golf.
Failure indicates that virtual reality video games can be used in a didactic and entertaining way to enhance children’s sensory and motor skills, always prioritizing physical activity.
Prioritize physical activity
Video game experts have indicated the importance of incorporating body movements into this type of entertainment. However, they emphasize that video games should not replace sports activity, since physical exercise contributes to the psychomotor and social development of children.
Both Melgar and Falla They advise to maintain a balance between the time destined for video games and sport. In addition, they suggest exploring clubs Phygital Gameswhich motivate children to start in physical activities from a technological approach.
For its part, Omar Vela, of the General Directorate of Physical Education of the MINEDUC, emphasizes that Technology can be a valuable incentive to promote physical activityprovided that it is used in a complementary way and not as a substitute for conventional sport. Vela emphasizes that the latter is essential for child development, since it strengthens aspects such as psychology, fine motor skills and the prevention of eating disorders, such as obesity.
It also emphasizes that It is essential that children perform physical activity to avoid sedentary lifestylewhich can lead to long -term health problems. Finally, Vela calls on parents to promote a balance between the use of technology and sports, always prioritizing the health and integral development of minors.