haoran.io

why fitness matters to us

According to research data from pnas.org, the pandemic quarantine has resulted in significant reduction of in physical activity among individuals.

The lack of physical activities, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), can lead to a range of potential chronic diseases including

heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, and Muscular dystrophy.

What if we make the exercise into an excited sport which players can immerse in the game without thinking of doing a routing fitness in quarantine?

https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/factsheets/physical-activity.htm

https://www.pnas.org/content/118/9/e2016632118

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/article/PIIS2666-7762(21)00251-9/fulltext

painpoint

During the quarantine, it is hard to engage people in both anaerobic(Weights) and aerobic(Cardio) exercise to keep healthy.

target users

I focused on fitness people and gamers who need to exercise at home. The product is aimed at providing them a enjoyable environment for fitness.

design criteria

I focused on fitness people and gamers who need to exercise at home. The product is aimed at providing them a enjoyable environment for fitness.

heart rate adaptation

The score system is adapted with the calories consumed.

The moving speed is corresponding with the user’s heart rate. When user's heart rate goes down, the resistant of running will increases vice versa, to maintain best exercise performance.

The best heart rate zone for fitness is 100~150 (heart.org)

IF: Heart Rate < 100

Then: ↑ resistance

IF: Heart Rate > 150

Then: ↓ resistance

score = calories - time taken

Running

hiit

Calisthenics

yoga

Running

climbing

climbing(between walls)

chest expansion

High Plank

Gliding

Isometric Row

postures in exercise

exercise types

postures in game

design postures

I researched and summarized the postures in different exercise options, and designed postures in the VR game.

usability testing

For the user testing, I ask users to complete four tasks by using VR and without using VR device.

I collected their heart rates, task completion rates, qualitative feedbacks(ease of use, roadblocks).

results

The test results shows that in most of the exercise in VR consumes more energy than the real time.

However, many participates report a need to train lower body. It is hard to glide and run within the limited space.

iteration

According to the feedbacks, I added the squat walk in the prototype for exercising legs and made running and glide easier.

prototype

I led my teammate to build the scene and prototype the concept in Unity.

the future

Complete the game, with more test results and increasing the fidelity.

Develop the simulate weights backpack in reality.

Explore the game with omni-direction treadmill so that players can run wherever they want.

* Device from omnione

level design

start

Users can choice a path based on levels of difficulty.

apex

The most intensive training like running & squat walk happened in the middle of the game.

ease out

Light exercises such as gliding happened near the ending to ease out the tension for users.

ending

Touching the flag to finish the game.

warm up

Light exercises will help users to warm up before the intense training.

After designing all of the postures, I arranged them together to create a seamless level experience.

accessory
- heart rate sensor

I developed a heart rate monitoring watch, which uploads users’ heart rate into Unity. To optimize the fitness performance, the level of difficulties can be altered based on users’ real-time bio-signals.

accessory
-weight simulator

My research revealed that most of VR games are lack of haptics. It is important for fitness training. Therefore, I designed a backpack that pumps liquid into the specific part of the body to simulate weights.

*This could be an optional equipment for users to do light anaerobic(weight) exercise.