‘Exergaming,’ corporate interests and the crisis discourse of childhood obesity

Abstract

In this paper we explore ‘exergaming’ in schools, the latest trend influencing the physical education (PE) curriculum. Throughout the paper we investigate the various proponents of exergaming including the gaming industry, academic researchers and PE teachers. Our inquiry takes a closer look at exergaming as a pedagogical trend and describes exergaming's potential implications for the profession of PE as well as for individual students. Our methodological approach includes review and analysis of popular, scholarly and curricular texts related to the use of exergaming in schools. The analysis underscores the political nature of the curriculum and, in so doing, invites a closer look at this curricular trend by examining whose interests are served through the circulation of crisis discourses surrounding youth (ill)health and the use of these crisis discourses to justify the placement of commercial products in schools.

Keywords:

• Physical education
• School–business partnerships
• Discourse analysis
• De-skilling
• Student bodies
• Pedagogy