second life: a fitness lab

S U S A N A J U N I UM O N T C L A I R S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y , U S A

M I R I S H O N F E L DK I B B U T Z I M C O L L E G E O F E D U C A T I O N , I S R A E L

A D I T G A N O TK I B B U T Z I M C O L L E G E O F E D U C A T I O N , I S R A E L

The impact of a virtual fitness lab in physical activity participation:

A Second Life’s project

Purpose of this project:

To explore the instructional uses of a Virtual fitness as part of the teacher education program in Physical Education

To support the community in becoming knowledgeable about fitness and health and to encourage individuals to be more physically active

What it’s second life

Virtual worlds such as SecondLife (SL) or as it called ingeneral MUVE (Multi UserVirtual Environments) are ofincreasing interest to socialstudies and therapy field as forits potential to stimulate realplaces, and situations

Multi-User Virtual Environments)

www.secondlife.com

What it’s second life

A three-dimensional (3D) shared space: Enhances imagination, creativity, motivation and

engagement

Breaks physical, geographical, generational, and professional boundaries

Facilitates collaboration

Provides a sense of presence and belonging

Offers an environment for authentic learning

Provides visual representations of labs, classrooms, meeting places, and secure spaces for the individual

Real and Virtual World

Real world behavior is positively influenced by:

The individual own self-representing avatar behavior and appearance (Fox and Bailenson, 2009)

Users may adjust their identity to match that of their avatars

Individuals with avatars who engage in physical activities in SL are more likely to engage in physical activities in real life (Dean, Cook, Keating, and Murphy, 2009)

Smoother transitions into real world fitness

Why an Exercise Physiology Lab?

Exercise physiology concepts are abstract, complex and difficult to communicate through simple lectures and textbooks

Virtual exercise physiology labs could support the learning process by: Providing the students with an environment that through

simulation will demonstrate a number of tests in a non-intrusive manner

“Through visualization and education, [students] they can try activities that they had not tried before.” Jeanne Johnston, Indiana University

Virtual Research Projects - Weight Loss

Traditional health club sessions vs 3D virtual world (Jeanne

Johnston, Indiana University)

Participants in two weight-loss programs -- one involving traditional health club sessions and the other delivered online in a 3D virtual world -- lost similar amounts of weight and body fat

Online in a lost similar amounts of weight and body fat, but the online contingent reported significantly greater gains in behaviors that could help them live leaner, more healthful lifestyles.

Virtual Labs in second life

Virtual genetics laboratory in Second Life - University of Leicester http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMMfHZUNpZY

Interactive Science Lab Version 2- Ohio University http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiwG-RzeDow&feature=endscreen&NR=1

SSU Virtual Design Lab, Quick Tour 2.mov- Shawnee State University http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeFpOCf8sQ0

Weight Management Gym in Second Life

Second Life Weight Management Gym Introduction http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yhuMLHresk

Physical Education Equipment in Second Life

Market Place Secondlife https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/52817?id=52817

Premise

[Creating a context that emulates real-life problems and settings is

fundamental in (a) helping students integrate, analyze, and apply concepts of

exercise physiology and (b) engaging individuals in meaningful physical

activity experiences]

Virtual Fitness Lab

Purpose:

To support classroom instruction through virtual simulation and

To serve the a community where an individual can create an avatar and experience the effects of virtual exercising on the level of fitness and health through the changes of their body shape.

Virtual Fitness Lab:

The project is designed based on 3 modules: Instruction

Practice and research

Community support

Instruction

Students will review: Learning modules on the different fitness tests

Anthropometric testing

Blood pressure

Body composition

Cardiovascular endurance

Muscular Strength and Endurance

Flexibility

Nutrition

Procedures for test administration

Videos

Animation

Applications

Students will:

Apply knowledge acquire during the instruction session

Practice the tests through simulation

Adjust equipment based on age, weight, time, resistance, inclination

Simulation will adjust resistant, calculate calories, etc.

Virtual Practice

Community Support

The clients will complete: Pre-Tests, baseline results

Fitness Test

Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire

Medical history questionnaire

Exercise Perception and Attitudes Questionnaire

Create an exercise program in the virtual fitness lab

Formative assessments

Post-test

Fitness test

Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire

Medical history questionnaire

Exercise Perception and Attitudes Questionnaire

Through virtual simulation:

Support students in Exercise Science Learn fitness concepts

Acquire fitness assessment skills

Apply in a real world setting.

Support classroom instruction Virtual simulation of the various tests without bringing the

subject to exhaustion

Conduct tests and research without the need expensive equipment and running by a trained professional

Practical and an effective alternative to using traditional laboratory experiences that necessitate the use of subjects and/or expensive equipment.

Challenges

Plans

Budget

Maintenance

Community Collaboration

Ideas and Questions

email us at:

Susana Juniu

junius@mail.montclair.edu

Miri Shonfeld

mirish@macam.ac.il

Adit Ganot

adit_gan@smkb.ac.il