Does imposing a goal always improve exercise intentions in avatar-based exergames? the moderating role of interdependent self-construal on exercise intentions and self-presence

What are important factors to consider when designing health messages to improve people's physical activity using avatar-based exergames? Does the effectiveness of health messages embedded in exergames depend on players' self-construal? Drawing on regulatory focus theory and the literature on self-construals, this study examined the effects of imposing a prevention goal ("Exercise to avoid aging") and the moderating role of game players' interdependent self-construal on their exercise intentions and feelings of self-presence. Results indicated that regulatory fit between game player's self-construal and the nature of the goal (i.e., fit between interdependent self-construals and the imposed goal with a prevention regulatory focus) increases exercise intentions and self-presence. Theoretical contributions to exergame literature and practical implications for designing health games are discussed.