Promoting Physical Exercise Adherence and Safety in Virtual Reality Using IoT Architecture
Te-Yi Tsai, Aref Smiley, Joseph Finkelstein · 2025
Immersive virtual reality (VR) can enhance the cycling exercise experience and promote adherence to daily physical activity. The goal of this project was to facilitate exercise adherence and safety by implementing real-time visualization of cycling trajectory and oxygen saturation within a three-dimensional space generated by an interactive VR app. Our implementation included an Oculus headset and a Metaverse application for a racetrack game, leveraging IoT infrastructure to collect and process real-time data from a portable exercise bike and wireless pulse oximeter. The IoT interface facilitated transmission, storage, and visualization of exercise bike speed within the VR environment. The system wirelessly interfaced with a portable bike and pulse oximeter, enabling real-time monitoring of exercise intensity, heart rate, and oxygen saturation. These parameters were continuously displayed on the VR dashboard during the exercise. A dedicated web portal supported individualized exercise program prescriptions and adjustments based on patient performance. Real-time alerts based on personalized thresholds ensured adherence to exercise prescriptions and patient safety. Our prototype demonstrated the potential of Metaverse applications using IoT infrastructure for cost-effective home-based telerehabilitation. Future enhancements include wireless physiological sensors, vital sign monitors, and remote communication with clinical rehabilitation teams. A randomized clinical trial will evaluate system efficacy.