ExerNeck
ExerNeck is an exercise platform aimed at preventing neck pain through personalized exercise programs, gamified experiences and real-time communication with experts. This innovative solution, which makes neck exercises fun through gamification technology, enhances motivation for regular workouts and supports a healthier lifestyle with a preventative exercise approach.
TÜBİTAK Project
Features and Benefits
ExerNeck gamifies neck exercises that can become monotonous over time by leveraging Promptable Game Modelling (PGM), Procedural Content Generation (PCG), and personalized character selection, making exercises more engaging and improving adherence to preventive exercises. The system, which increases access to healthcare by being used on mobile devices without the need for additional devices or sensors, enhances the effectiveness of treatment processes by enabling exercise accuracy monitoring and easy connection with specialists.
Personalized Exercises
ExerNeck offers exercise plans tailored to neck measurements, various demographic information and individual needs. Designed especially for individuals with neck discomfort such as pain, these plans enable users to easily incorporate exercises into their daily lives and adopt a healthier lifestyle. Personalized exercises help users achieve their goals more quickly and effectively.
Motivation Through Gamification
The system enhances the user experience by gamifying neck exercises with features such as personalized character selection, Promptable Game Modelling (PGM), and Procedural Content Generation (PCG), making them enjoyable. This interactive structure, which allows users to customize the game environment and content, diversifies monotonous exercises and boosts motivation. This approach transforms exercises from a tedious activity into an engaging one, facilitating their integration into daily life and improving adherence to the treatment process.
Remote Expert Support
Users can establish real-time communication with experts and receive guidance while performing exercises through the system. With expert support, the exercises in the program are performed correctly, preventing potential injuries. Additionally, experts' prompt responses to user questions enhance the efficiency of the exercise process.
Easy Access and Use
The system, which does not require the use of additional devices or sensors, is accessible anytime and anywhere with its mobile-based structure. This ease of access ensures the system is accessible for everyone. Additionally, thanks to its user-friendly design, it offers practical and comfortable use for individuals of all ages.
Adaptive Difficulty Adjustment
The difficulty level of exercises is adjusted based on individual characteristics such as neck measurements, physical endurance, range of motion, facial expression recognition (FER) data, and motivation level. The system ensures that users progress at a pace suited to their physical capacities and risk levels, determining the ideal difficulty. The dynamically adjusted difficulty levels make the exercise process efficient and sustainable.
Visual and Audio Guidance
The system provides visual animations and audio guidance to reduce injury risk and ensure the correct execution of movements. All users, particularly beginners in neck exercises, receive guidance through visual and audio cues that help eliminate potential physical risks.
Real-Time Progress Tracking
Daily reports and performance scores allow users to effectively track their progress throughout their exercise journey. This transparent tracking not only boosts motivation but also makes it easier to achieve active lifestyle goals. Continuous monitoring supports users in objectively evaluating and improving their performance.
Emergency Alerts
The system analyzes the user's facial expression using Facial Expression Recognition (FER) technology. Through this technology, sudden signs of discomfort during exercise are detected, and the emergency button feature is activated. The emergency mechanism provides protection against sudden injuries, particularly for elderly users and individuals with sensitive health conditions.
Benefits for Patients:
ExerNeck helps users relieve neck pain and develop a regular exercise routine, enabling them to adopt a healthier lifestyle. The system enhances user motivation with an enjoyable and gamified exercise experience, strengthening their commitment to treatment. Easily accessible and personalized programs support individuals of all ages in integrating the exercise process into their daily lives.
Benefits for Health Professionals:
ExerNeck lightens the workload of healthcare professionals and saves time by providing them with the ability to remotely monitor their patients. The system enhances treatment effectiveness by providing the ability to closely monitor users' exercise progress and offer real-time guidance when needed. Additionally, healthcare professionals can plan treatment processes more efficiently and personally through progress tracking and feedback mechanisms.
Benefits for Healthcare Systems, Providers and Authorities:
ExerNeck optimizes healthcare system resource utilization, reducing hospital congestion and healthcare costs. The system facilitates access to healthcare services through personalized and accessible exercise programs while promoting a preventive approach that encourages early intervention and preventive healthcare. The data provided by the system contributes to more informed decision-making in the processes of monitoring and improving public health.