Communications of the ACM
Buffed-Up Avatars Deter Us From Exercising Hard
University of Bath researchers have found that virtual reality users are more likely to exercise better when vying with realistic avatars of themselves.
Credit: University of Bath
Researchers at the University of Bath in the U.K. demonstrated that virtual reality (VR) users are more likely to exercise better when vying with realistic, rather than idealized, avatars of themselves.
Bath's Christof Lutteroth said idealized avatars appear to adversely affect physical performance, as demonstrated by participants engaged in an VR bike racing exergame.
When human racers competed against generic, physically accurate avatars, they performed better and were better motivated; participants also exerted more against realistic versus idealized avatars.
Said Lutteroth, "Exergame designers should definitely consider using realistic avatar customization to improve player experience and performance."
From University of Bath
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