Researchers are doubtful that Gamified apps used for exercising could sustain major changes in health behaviors.

They believe that gamification is a popular trend for mobile fitness application for their makers that are cashing in to people that wants to get fit.

Cameron Lister, one of the researchers, said that it can be assumed that gamified apps works but there has been no research on their long term effectiveness.

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Lister wonder if earning a badge on a screen can actually change a person's healthy behavior.

Whether or not this can change a person's point of view of being healthy remains to be seen, he added.

Researchers believe that gamification is ignoring elements of behavior change that can be demotivating on the long run.

Josh West, one of the researchers, suggests that mobile application makers focus on apps that focuses on skill development.

He explained there's a missed opportunity to influence healthy behavior because most gamified apps are only aimed at motivating people.

Motivation is important but also developing skills that will help ease behavioral change, he added.

Researchers said way apps motivate people focus on peer pressure, digital rewards, competition and leaderboards.

Lister stressed that a person who wants to engage in a healthy activity should do it out of his own accord.

Researchers believe that funding for the long term effects of gamified apps is scarce because developers don't have money or conflicted about subjecting their app to scrutiny.

West cautions developers and users to not have unrealistic expectations about the impact of gamified apps.

He said that even though everyone wants to know if this game can sustain behavior change scientists and researchers still don't know yet.