Extended Reality Training: New Opportunities for Physical Activity Promotion

Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Anna Lisa Martin-Niedecken 

Extended Reality (XR) technologies such as Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality create new opportunities to engage people in physical activity. When combined with training concepts tailored to specific target groups and application contexts, as well as with playful and game-based elements, interactive environments emerge that promote both physical and cognitive fitness while enhancing motivation.

This keynote explores the use of XR through the example of movement-based games, known as exergames. It presents insights into a wide range of applications and their design, research, and development processes. Particular emphasis is placed on how interdisciplinary collaboration leads to creative and effective solutions – from the initial concept to implementation in health and physical activity promotion, as well as in fitness, sports, and rehabilitation contexts.