The common claim among Pokémon GO players? Chasing Pidgey, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur gets them moving more. But according to a study in the prestigious British Medical Journal (BMJ), the reality is less encouraging. While users show increased activity in the first days, the benefits diminish rapidly—from week two onward—and vanish entirely after six weeks.
To assess Pokémon GO's true impact on physical activity, U.S. researchers surveyed 1,182 participants aged 18 to 35. Findings revealed a modest uptick initially: players averaged 11 extra minutes of walking daily in the first week. However, step counts began declining by week two, leveling off to no net gain by week six. Not the fitness revolution hoped for. That said, researchers note potential upsides, like improved mood and stronger social bonds from gameplay.
