Effects of a Personalized Augmented Reality Exercise Program Based on Basic Fitness on Key Components of Physical...

Augmented reality (AR)-based exercise offers a low-cost option for home training, but the lack of supervision increases the risk of incorrect performance. Therefore, AR systems must demonstrate accuracy and effectiveness comparable to therapist-led training. To address this need, this study examined whether an AR-supported multi-component exercise program improves six key components of physical fitness.

Twenty-eight healthy adults from South Korea were recruited and randomly assigned to either the AR group or the physical therapist (PT) group. Participants were assessed for six components of physical fitness: muscular strength, muscular endurance, balance, cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, and coordination. Each group performed the exercise program three times per week for four weeks, with each session lasting at least 30 min. Statistical analyses were conducted using paired t-tests to evaluate pre- and post-intervention effects within each group and independent t-tests to compare differences between the two groups. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Exploratory analyses showed that both groups demonstrated post-intervention improvements in muscular endurance, balance, flexibility, and coordination, while cardiorespiratory endurance and grip strength showed no notable changes. Between-group comparisons revealed significant differences only in right-hand relative grip strength at both baseline and post-intervention, with no other domains differing between groups.

First, the AR-based intervention significantly improved muscular endurance, balance, flexibility, and coordination. Second, there were no significant differences between the AR-based and therapist-led interventions. Consequently, AR-based exercise programs may enhance specific components of physical fitness and could be effectively utilized to complement and extend therapist-led training sessions.