Virtual reality (VR) video games that blend exercise with screen time, known as "exergames," present an innovative and enjoyable approach to fitness. However, similar to conventional workout routines, maintaining commitment to exergames is challenging, with many users abandoning them once they become too tedious or uncomfortable.
Researchers at the University of Bath propose an innovative solution to this issue: the development of exergames that utilize advanced sensors to continuously monitor a user's emotional state, adjusting the game in real time to sustain engagement. For instance, the game could ease up if the user is struggling or introduce more obstacles when they're ready for a challenge.
Insights from Recent Research
Dominic Potts, the lead author of a study exploring this novel use of sensor technology to boost user motivation, emphasized the significant challenges of motivation and adherence in physical exercise. "With exergaming, we can tackle this issue and enhance enjoyment and performance by aligning the challenge level with a user’s abilities and mood," Potts explained. "Adaptive exercise games will sense a person’s emotions, offering more rewards when they're struggling and more obstacles when they're ready for new challenges."
The study's findings, published in the Proceedings of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, mark a pivotal advancement in creating personalized fitness games that can keep users engaged longer. Game designers have long aspired to develop exergames that adapt to a user's emotional changes and challenges during exercise. However, accurately assessing a user's emotional state during physical activity has been a significant obstacle.
Innovative Sensor Technology
Traditional technologies have struggled to provide reliable readings, particularly during intense movement, making it difficult to determine if a person is happy, stressed, or bored. The Bath research team achieved a breakthrough by employing an innovative array of sensors embedded in VR headsets or wearable devices like smartwatches, capable of tracking physical changes during exercise.
Mapping Emotional Responses
In the study, 72 participants engaged in a VR cycling race, with researchers using a specific combination of sensors to track various physiological factors. The cyclists navigated four distinct virtual environments, each designed to evoke specific emotions: happiness, sadness, stress, and calmness. Participants experienced these emotional states while exercising at low, medium, and high intensities.
"In the long run, our goal is to make VR exercise emotionally intelligent," stated Christof Lutteroth, director of the REVEAL research center and co-investigator at CAMERA, both based at the University of Bath. Lutteroth also highlighted the rising popularity of VR physical activities, noting their application in various settings, including schools, rehabilitation, and sports science.
