Virtual reality exercise to break the boredom cycle

Imagine cycling through the countryside, riding in outer space or dodging zombies on your bike, all from the comfort of your lounge.

Well, a team of Australian students from the Queensland University of Technology have developed a new way of exercising that breaks the boredom cycle forever.

Team member Gavin Jones said regular exercise had become a necessary part of most people's lives.

"We all do it – well, at least we all should be doing it – but spending 30 minutes on the bike at the gym or in your own home is not really that fun," he said.

"What we have done is develop a system that takes you on a new and exciting journey in virtual exercise. The user is able to select a virtual 'training circuit' in which to cycle around."

Jones said the system provided the user with a virtual setting to ride in. The system uses a specially designed gaming program, Wiimotes – remote controls for Nintendo's gaming console Wii – and a flexible mirror which was used to reflect an infra-red light beam that controlled the virtual environment.

He said an accurate and responsive detection of head and leg movements, via the Wiimotes, allowed the user to propel forward and look around and explore the virtual environment around them.

"We also have sound effects, to make this a totally immersive and engaging experience," he said. "It is a flexible and highly responsive gaming system, and can also be customised to suit the user's needs."

Jones said the prototype fitness system could easily be adapted for a commercial market.

"It's cheap and easy to use on any piece of exercise equipment," he said. "You could use it on a treadmill, rowing machine or exercise bike like we have."

"At the moment, you have to look at a screen in front of you to view the game, but if developed into a commercial product, you would wear video goggles," he added.

Jones said an added feature of the system was that it also displays the user's individual workout progress.

"You can keep track of your distance, heart rate, speed and time."