PunchPulse: A Physically Demanding Virtual Reality Boxing Game Designed with, for and by Blind and Low-Vision Players
Sanchita S. Kamath, Omar Khan, Anurag Choudhary, Jan Heinrich Ernst Meyerhoff, Soyoung Choi, JooYoung Seo · 2025
Blind and low-vision (BLV) individuals experience lower levels of physical activity (PA) due to limited access to engaging, accessible exercise tools.We present PunchPulse, an open-source VR boxing exergame (available on GitHub) designed in collaboration with BLV co-designers to support sustained moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) through immersive, autonomous gameplay.Our system emphasizes structured progression and multimodal interaction (e.g., heart-rate tracking, audio-haptic feedback) to scaffold engagement and exertion.Over a seven-month, multi-phased study, PunchPulse was iteratively refined with three BLV co-designers, informed by two early pilot testers, and evaluated by six additional BLV user-study participants.Data collection included both qualitative (researcher observations, semi-structured interviews) and quantitative (MVPA zones, aid usage, completion times) measures of physical exertion and gameplay performance.The user study revealed that all participants reached moderate MVPA thresholds, with high levels of immersion and engagement observed.This work demonstrates the potential of VR as an inclusive medium for promoting meaningful PA in the BLV community and addresses a critical gap in accessible, intensity-driven exercise interventions.