The Association Between Digital Game Addiction and Motivation to Participate in Physical Activity: A Study on Adolescents

Digital games have become increasingly prominent in adolescents’ daily lives. Although controlled use may provide cognitive and recreational benefits, excessive engagement can increase addiction risk and negatively affect physical activity levels. However, the relationship between digital game addiction and motivation to participate in physical activity remains unclear. Therefore, the present study examines the association between digital game addiction and motivation to participate in physical activity among adolescents. The study employed a quantitative correlational design and included 682 high school students (females 54.55%; males 45.45%). Data were collected using the Digital Game Addiction Scale (DGAS-7) and the Motivation Scale for Participation in Physical Activity (MSPPA). Independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation analyses were conducted. The findings reveal that male students demonstrated higher levels of both digital game addiction and motivation for physical activity compared to female students (p < 0.05). Students engaged in sports reported higher digital game addiction and motivation levels than those who did not. Digital game addiction was significantly higher among students who used digital devices for more than seven hours per day compared to those who used them for 1–3 h (p < 0.05). However, usage duration was not significantly associated with motivation (p > 0.05). A weak but statistically significant positive association was identified between digital game addiction and motivation to participate in physical activity (r = 0.171; p < 0.01). The findings suggest that digital and physical activities among adolescents may not be mutually exclusive but could be complementary. This pattern may be associated with shared motivational dynamics such as competition and achievement.