The stakes of this question are enormous. More than a quarter of adults and roughly 80 percent of adolescents worldwide fail to meet recommended physical activity levels, and physical inactivity is estimated to cause nearly 50 million new cases of non-communicable disease every year, with projected treatment costs of around 300 billion US dollars between 2020 and 2030. Childhood is widely seen as the most effective intervention point, because motor skill competence and physical activity form a self-reinforcing loop: children who move well tend to move more, and children who move more become better movers. Those who fall behind early can spiral into lifelong inactivity, which is why researchers are increasingly focused on the building blocks known as fundamental movement skills.

Fundamental movement skills are the basic movement patterns that children refine into the specialized actions needed for sports and other physical pursuits. They include locomotor skills such as running and jumping, object control skills such as catching, throwing and striking, and stability skills such as balancing on one foot or walking a beam. Physical education lessons are the traditional venue for teaching them, but the average school delivers only about 60 to 130 minutes of physical education per week, far short of the World Health Organization’s recommendation of at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day. Home-based activity is meant to fill the gap, yet excessive screen time is widely blamed for displacing it, and interventions that simply try to limit screen time have shown little success, partly because they create family conflict, demand parental energy that work and chores already consume, and run up against financial constraints such as lacking safe outdoor spaces.

The research team, led by Oscar O’Brien, proposes a broader conceptual category they call exergamoids: physical activities that involve sensors of physical activity controlling a games technology component of the experience. Exergames, in which players develop their health as they play a complete game, are one subset. Digital gamification of exercise, such as a leveling system layered onto a step counter, is another. The umbrella term is designed to organize a fragmented literature and allow findings to transfer across game types, hardware platforms and settings. What unites exergamoids is a feedback loop in which digital tracking of movement serves as input to a game system, and the game’s output augments the physically active experience, potentially motivating children to practice skills at home that they first learned at school.

To resolve the mixed evidence that has plagued this field, the researchers systematically searched ten databases, including PubMed, APA PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, Scopus, ProQuest, Web of Science, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar, for studies published between January 2000 and December 2025. After screening 2,882 retrieved records, 545 abstracts, and hundreds of full texts against strict population, intervention, comparison and outcome criteria, they identified 12 studies containing 17 statistically significant comparisons across 28 experimental groups, covering children aged 4 to 12 in school, home and clinical-adjacent settings. The corpus included 22 unique games across four hardware platforms, most of them commercial titles, and the studies varied widely in whether they used researcher-made games with design enhancements, structured physical education sessions or loosely supervised play, and whether children received targeted coaching on movement skills.

The methodological innovation of the study lies in how it handled that variability. Rather than pooling effect sizes, which the authors argue would be undermined by heterogeneity and bias, they applied what they call systematic hypothesis testing, an approach built on set theory and order theory. They generated eleven plausible hypotheses about what causes variability in movement skill outcomes, each defined by mathematical constraints such as whether coaching, activity structure or exergame status has a positive, negative or zero effect. For every hypothesis, they predicted the direction of the outcome for each of the 17 comparisons based on how the experimental groups differed, and then checked whether the observed results matched the prediction. The hypothesis that survived every test was one in which skill improvement is a function of coaching and activity structure, while exergame status itself has exactly zero effect.

That finding is more surprising than it might appear. Many exergames can be operated with sloppy or incorrect movement patterns, since permissive sensors reward effort rather than technique, which has led critics to argue that skills learned in front of a screen will not transfer to the real world. Yet the meta-analysis found no evidence of a differential effect across the temporal, environmental and functional components of movement skill, meaning exergames worked equally well for locomotor, object control and stability skills. The authors draw on dynamic systems theory to explain why: acquiring a movement skill is a search for a correct movement pattern across many degrees of freedom, and what guides that search most effectively is knowledge of performance, the actionable feedback a human coach provides about how to adjust the movement. Simple scores and game rewards, which constitute knowledge of results, do not tell a child how to change their technique, so the accuracy of the simulation matters far less than the quality of the coaching around it.

The analysis also revealed a hierarchy of facilitation. Human-delivered coaching through verbal feedback and live demonstration had a strong effect on skill outcomes, and coaching delivered through digital media, such as skill demonstration videos within the game, also improved results. Activity structure showed a positive contribution as well, though it was not a statistically significant predictor on its own, likely because most studies varied coaching and game status rather than structure in isolation. Unstructured, free-play exergaming sessions consistently underperformed, mirroring broader evidence that unstructured activities are less effective for skill development than planned ones. In practice, the most successful interventions looked like well-run physical education lessons that happened to use a game: teachers selected activities aligned with developmental needs, modeled the skills, cued corrections, and adjusted difficulty for individual children.

The practical implications reach well beyond the school gym. The authors argue that low-barrier exergames, in which cheating produces no better score than playing correctly, deserve recognition as a distinct category, because their permissiveness lets children with imperfect technique participate and stay motivated while a coach fine-tunes the specificity of the activity through praise and goal setting. Exergames can also offer experiences that schools cannot easily provide, from virtual surfing and snowboarding between classes to practicing ball heading in virtual reality, where one study noted children reported reduced fear. They enable training during bad weather, promote exertion through heart-rate-driven game mechanics, and show hints of enhanced benefit for groups that traditional activity often misses, including children with developmental delays and those who skip physical education sessions. Barriers remain, including hardware costs, staff training, IT support and the need to choose games whose movements match the curriculum, but the researchers recommend that teachers and parents treat exergames as a legitimate, freely chosen option rather than a last resort.

Looking forward, the team outlines two frontiers that could push exergames beyond parity with traditional activity. Simulated coaching, in which games assess movement competence, deliver demonstrations and provide cues automatically, could embed the knowledge-of-performance feedback that currently depends on a human presence, making uncoached home play genuinely instructional. Co-teaching systems, in which a game acts as a teaching assistant that adapts around the teacher’s plans rather than displacing them, would require a new layer of interactivity but could draw on evidence that collaborative teaching yields benefits even when the second teacher is less skilled. The authors caution that their analysis operated at the whole-class level, did not examine individual participant characteristics, and could not assess whether small differences emerge in interventions longer than six to eight weeks. Still, their central message is clear: the screen is not the enemy of childhood movement skills. Coached, structured exergaming belongs alongside traditional games as a tool for breaking the spiral of inactivity, at school and at home.

Subject of Research: The effects of exergames on children's fundamental movement skills, examined through a systematic review and meta-analysis of methodological variables such as coaching and activity structure.

Article Title: The Effects of Exergames on Fundamental Movement Skills in Childhood: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Article References: O’Brien, O., Kendrick, C., Ives, B., Yap, M. H., & Henry, J. (2026). The Effects of Exergames on Fundamental Movement Skills in Childhood: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Sports Medicine – Open, 12(1), Article 139. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-026-01081-2

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s40798-026-01081-2

Keywords: exergames, exergamoids, fundamental movement skills, children, physical activity, physical education, meta-analysis, motor skill development, coaching, screen time, childhood health, dynamic systems theory

SIAM, a leading international organization dedicated to applied and computational mathematics, annually selects a highly distinguished group of Fellows who represent the forefront of innovation across diverse industries and academic institutions worldwide. This year, among an extensive membership base of 14,000 professionals across multiple sectors—including academia, government agencies, military, and industry—25 mathematicians were named Fellows. Professor Kang’s inclusion in this select cohort highlights the global recognition of his theoretical and computational expertise.

Kang’s fellowship citation specifically acknowledges his “fundamental theoretical and computational contributions to the analysis, control, and estimation of nonlinear dynamical systems and their applications.” At its core, this research revolves around dynamic systems theory, which deals with mathematically modeling and predicting the behavior of complex systems over time. These systems are often nonlinear, exhibiting behaviors that are intricate and sensitive to initial conditions, which makes their control and estimation particularly challenging but essential in real-world applications such as autonomous vehicles and power grids.

In essence, dynamic systems provide a framework through which the future state of a system can be predicted from its current state, given an underlying set of physical principles. Kang elucidates this by emphasizing the predictive capabilities rooted in fundamental physics, while candidly acknowledging the inherent difficulties in accurate forecasting. The complexity of natural and engineered dynamic systems—especially nonlinear ones—requires sophisticated mathematical tools for effective control, which have been the focus of Kang’s ongoing research efforts.

Control systems, a field where mathematics and engineering converge, are at the heart of Kang’s investigations. These systems are designed to regulate the behavior of dynamic processes, ranging from uncrewed autonomous vehicles to industrial machinery. Kang’s work pushes the boundaries by integrating advanced machine learning, data science, and artificial intelligence techniques to enhance the adaptability and precision of control strategies. This interdisciplinary approach reflects the modern trend of leveraging computational intelligence to solve classical engineering problems.

Collaborating with his students and various defense research institutions, Kang has contributed to noteworthy projects that demonstrate the transformative power of applied mathematics. His work includes data simulation efforts for numerical weather prediction in partnership with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, indicating how mathematical models assist in forecasting atmospheric phenomena critical to naval operations. Additionally, he has been involved in data assimilation studies related to the combustion dynamics of rocket and jet engines through the Air Force Research Laboratory—efforts that are vital for improving propulsion efficiency and reliability.

Furthermore, Kang’s expertise has been instrumental in anomaly detection within power systems, collaborating with the Office of Naval Research’s Next Strategic Technology Evaluation Program (NextSTEP). This research underscores the importance of dynamic system monitoring to maintain the integrity and stability of critical infrastructure, an area of increasing concern as power grids become more complex and integrated with renewable energy sources.

Beyond his applied projects, Kang participates in a multi-institutional initiative funded by the National Science Foundation aimed at exploring the mathematical foundations of machine learning. This collaboration seeks to deepen understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of learning algorithms, which are essential for ensuring robustness, transparency, and efficiency in AI-driven systems, thereby bridging pure mathematics with cutting-edge technological advancements.

In addition to his SIAM Fellowship, Professor Kang is recognized as a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), reflecting his interdisciplinary impact across mathematics, engineering, and computer science. His affiliation with the University of California at Santa Cruz as an adjunct professor further positions him at the nexus of academic innovation and mentorship, where he shapes the next generation of mathematicians and engineers.

Kang values the role of professional societies not only for honoring research excellence but also for fostering community and leadership within the discipline. His contributions extend to organizing and chairing international conferences on systems and controls, as well as serving as vice chair of the systems and controls activity group within SIAM. These service roles amplify his influence in setting agendas and facilitating collaboration among researchers worldwide.

Dr. Ralucca Gera, Chair of the Department of Applied Mathematics at the Naval Postgraduate School, praises Kang’s achievement as a testament to his exceptional research contributions and service to the field. She emphasizes that Professor Kang’s recognition as a SIAM Fellow elevates both his personal standing and the Naval Postgraduate School’s reputation as a hub of innovation and excellence in mathematical research relevant to national defense.

The ascendancy of applied mathematics as a driver of technological innovation is vividly illustrated by Kang’s career, which seamlessly integrates theoretical rigor with practical application. His work addresses some of the most demanding scientific challenges, from predictive modeling and control of autonomous systems to the foundational theory underpinning machine learning, demonstrating how advanced mathematics continues to shape the future of engineering and defense technologies.

As the SIAM community celebrates Professor Wei Kang’s induction into the 2025 class of Fellows, it also acknowledges the increasingly vital role of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing knowledge. Kang’s visionary integration of applied mathematics with artificial intelligence and engineering exemplifies how the field is evolving to meet complex societal needs, promising exciting developments in dynamic system analysis and control for years to come.

—

Subject of Research: Applied Mathematics, Nonlinear Dynamical Systems, Control Theory, Machine Learning Integration, Systems and Controls

Article Title: Naval Postgraduate School’s Wei Kang Named 2025 SIAM Fellow for Pioneering Work in Dynamic Systems and Controls

News Publication Date: Not specified in the content

Web References:
– https://www.siam.org/publications/siam-news/articles/siam-announces-2025-class-of-fellows
– https://nps.edu/web/math
– https://sites.google.com/site/weikangnpsmonterey

Image Credits: U.S. Navy photo by Dan Linehan

Keywords: Applied Mathematics, Control Theory, Dynamic Systems, Nonlinear Systems, Machine Learning, Data Assimilation, Anomaly Detection, Autonomous Vehicles, Numerical Weather Prediction