Exercise support system with self-growing avatars using interactive evolutionary computation

Abstract

Continuous exercise is crucial for achieving health and physique goals, yet maintaining moti-(breakpoint)vation can be difficult when physical results take time to become visible. In this paper, we propose a novel exercise support system leveraging interactive evolutionary computation (IEC) to generate self-evolving avatars personalized to users’ ideal body shapes. The system employs motion capture technology to synchronize users’ exercise movements with avatars that undergo progressive evolution towards their de-(breakpoint)sired physical ideal based on IEC feedback. An experimental evaluation of the system revealed 81.8 % of participants reported heightened motivation to continue exercising after interacting with the self-evolving avatars. These results suggest that providing an embodied visualization of potential long-term outcomes could offer a compelling incentive to maintain exercise routines.