Mapping the Extended Reality Exergames Landscape

Core Concepts

The authors conducted a scoping review to provide a structured overview of XR exergame research, highlighting trends and knowledge gaps. They aimed to create a taxonomy of XR exergames for future design and methodological investigation.

Abstract

The content explores the intersection of extended reality (XR) technology with exergames to promote physical activity and address health-related issues. It reviews the current state of XR exergame research, analyzes study characteristics, data collection methods, and outcomes. The authors present a taxonomy based on Goals, People, Exercises, Design, and Technologies (GPEDT) principles to guide future research in this rapidly evolving field.
Key points:

Introduction to XR exergames addressing health challenges.
Scoping review methodology to structure the research landscape.
Analysis of study characteristics, sample demographics, and data collection methods.
Development of a taxonomy based on GPEDT principles for future research guidance.

Stats

1318 papers identified in human-computer interaction and medical databases.
186 papers included in the analysis.
195 total XR exergames identified: 20 commercial games and 175 custom games.

Quotes

"Extended reality (XR) exergames combine physical exercises with enjoyable gameplay."
"XR technologies offer benefits for designing engaging and responsive exergames."
"The lack of structure hinders interdisciplinary information flow in this field."

Key Insights Distilled From

Born to Run, Programmed to Play

by Sukran Karao... at arxiv.org 03-12-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2403.06776.pdf

Deeper Inquiries

How can XR exergames be tailored for specific user groups like older adults or individuals with medical conditions?

To tailor XR exergames for specific user groups such as older adults or individuals with medical conditions, several considerations need to be taken into account:

Physical Limitations: Older adults and individuals with medical conditions may have physical limitations that need to be accommodated in the game design. This could include providing options for lower intensity exercises, incorporating seated exercises, or offering modifications for movements.

Cognitive Challenges: Some user groups may have cognitive challenges that require simplified instructions, clear visual cues, and repetitive reinforcement of key concepts within the game.

Safety Measures: Ensuring safety is paramount when designing XR exergames for these populations. This includes providing proper warm-ups and cooldowns, avoiding rapid movements that could cause injury, and incorporating safety features like emergency stop buttons.

Personalization: Offering customization options within the game can help cater to individual needs and preferences. This could involve adjusting difficulty levels, setting goals based on fitness levels, or tracking progress over time.

Feedback Mechanisms: Providing real-time feedback on performance can motivate users to continue exercising and help them track their progress effectively.

Social Interaction: Incorporating social elements into the game can enhance engagement for older adults who may benefit from a sense of community while exercising.

By considering these factors and tailoring the design of XR exergames accordingly, developers can create engaging and effective experiences for specific user groups like older adults or individuals with medical conditions.

What are the potential implications of using commercial vs. custom-built XR exergames in research studies?

Commercial XR Exergames:

Accessibility: Commercial games are readily available to a wide audience without requiring significant development resources.
Familiarity: Users may already be familiar with commercial games, leading to quicker adoption.
Cost-Efficiency: Using existing commercial games can save costs compared to developing custom solutions from scratch.
Standardization: Commercial games provide a consistent experience across different study participants.
Custom-Built XR Exergames:

Tailored Experience: Custom-built games allow researchers to design experiences specifically suited to their research objectives.
Control Over Variables: Researchers have more control over variables in custom-built games compared to off-the-shelf solutions.
Innovative Features: Custom-built games offer opportunities for innovation by integrating unique gameplay mechanics tailored towards research goals.
-**Research Specificity:Custom-builtgamescanbeoptimizedforresearchprotocolsanddatacollection,makingthemeasier
to integrate into scientific studies
The choice between commercial vs.custombuiltXRexer-gamesshouldbedeterminedbytheresearchobjectives,the target population,andtheavailableresources.In somestudies,a combinationofbothtypesofgamesmaybetheoptimalapproachto leverageexistingcontentwhiletailoringaspectsofthegameplaytomeetthespecificneedsoftheresearchstudy.

Howcanreportingstandards beimprovedtoenhancecommunicationintheemergingfieldofXRexergameresearch?

Improving reporting standards in the emerging field of XR exer-game research is crucialforpromotingtransparency,reproducibility,andknowledge sharing.Hereareafewwaystoenhancereportingstandards:
1.StandardizedTerminology:EstablishingacommonsetoftermsanddefinitionsforeachaspectofXRexer-gameresearchwillhelpensureconsistencyacrossstudiesandfacilitatecomparisonsbetweendifferentworks.
2.MethodologicalClarity:Providingdetailedinformationaboutthestudydesign,datacollectionmethods,inclusioncriteria,andanalyticalapproacheswillallowotherresearcherstoreplicatetheresultsandbuilduponpreviouswork
3.ComprehensiveResultsReporting:Includingallrelevantfindingsfromthestudy,eveniftheydonotsupportthehypothesisorexpectedoutcomes,willassistinthoroughlyunderstandingtheresultsandimplications
4.DataSharing:P romotingdatasharingpractices,suchasopenaccessrepositoriesorsharingrawdatafiles,cansignificantlyimprove transparencyandreproducibilityinXRexerciseresearch
5.ReplicationStudies:A cknowledgingtherelevanceofreplicationstudiesandrepeatingexperimentstovalidateresultswillstrengthen theresilienceandsustainabilityoffindingsinthefield
6.CollaborationandPeerReview:E ncouragingcollaborationamongresearcherswithinthefieldandexposingstudiestothoroughpeerreview processeswillenhancethequalityandreliabilityofreportedresults
Byimplementingthesebestpracticesinreportingstandards,XRexercise researcherscandeliverhigh-quality,sturdyevidence-basedfindings thatcontributeeffectivelytotheadvancementofthefield