--- title: "Does gamification really get people moving? What a meta-analysis found – Ascend Esports" url: https://ascendesport.ae/does-gamification-get-people-moving/ description: "Points, levels and challenges are everywhere in fitness apps. A review of 16 randomised trials found they really do increase activity, with some caveats." last_modified: 2026-10-06T09:00:00+04:00 site: "Ascend Esports" summary_for_agents: https://ascendesport.ae/llms.txt --- [Gamified Wellness](https://ascendesport.ae/category/gamified-wellness/) # Does gamification really get people moving? What a meta-analysis found Points, levels and challenges are everywhere in fitness apps. A review of 16 randomised trials found they really do increase activity, with some caveats. ![](https://ascendesport.ae/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/hammer.png) **Ascend Esports team** 6 October 2026 · 2 min read Share [WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=Does%20gamification%20really%20get%20people%20moving%3F%20What%20a%20meta-analysis%20found%20https%3A%2F%2Fascendesport.ae%2Fdoes-gamification-get-people-moving%2F) [X](https://x.com/intent/post?text=Does%20gamification%20really%20get%20people%20moving%3F%20What%20a%20meta-analysis%20found&url=https%3A%2F%2Fascendesport.ae%2Fdoes-gamification-get-people-moving%2F) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fascendesport.ae%2Fdoes-gamification-get-people-moving%2F) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fascendesport.ae%2Fdoes-gamification-get-people-moving%2F) ![Runners in motion during a race](https://ascendesport.ae/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/does-gamification-get-people-moving.jpg) Runners in motion during a race Gamification means using game design, like points, levels, challenges, teams and instant feedback, outside games. It's in step counters, language apps and workplace wellness. But does it change behaviour? ## What the research found In 2022, researchers led by Alexandre Mazeas published a systematic review and meta-analysis in the *Journal of Medical Internet Research*. They pooled **16 randomised controlled trials with 2,407 participants**. - Gamified interventions increased physical activity with a **small to medium effect** compared with controls. - On average, people took about **1,600 more steps a day**. - The effect was still there about **14 weeks after** the interventions ended, though it was smaller. The authors called gamification "a promising avenue" for promoting physical activity, while noting that the studies varied a lot and that more rigorous, longer-term trials are needed. ## What makes it work From the research and from running gamified sessions ourselves, a few things stand out: - **Social beats solo.** Team challenges keep people coming back. - **Progress you can see.** Streaks, levels and badges make small wins visible. - **Optional and kind.** Leaderboards should motivate, not shame. The best designs let people play at their own level. - **Real rewards are the feelings.** Fun, connection and achievement last longer than prizes. ## Where Ascend fits For young players, wellness is built into our coaching: movement breaks, posture and recovery are part of the game plan. For companies and teams, our sister brand [Ascend Gamified Wellness](https://ascendgamifiedwellness.com/) runs facilitated experiences built on three pillars: Move, Play and Connect. ## Sources - [Mazeas A, et al. Evaluating the effectiveness of gamification on physical activity: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Med Internet Res 2022;24(1):e26779](https://www.jmir.org/2022/1/e26779) ![](https://ascendesport.ae/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/hammer.png) Written by the Ascend Esports team Coaches, game builders and wellness specialists at Ascend Esports, the esports division of Ascend Innovations in Mirdif, Dubai. Questions about this article? [Ask Ascenzo](https://ascendesport.ae/does-gamification-get-people-moving/#chat). 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