Abstract
The development of technology-based home fitness has emerged from the booming digital healthcare market and recent demands for at-home fitness and health equipment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital healthcare company Alyce Healthcare recently developed Weelo, which is a web-based online fitness program. Weelo recommends an exercise protocol through machine-learning-enabled recognition of the user’s motion and provides visual and auditory feedback. We evaluated whether Weelo improves physical and mental well-being to assess its capabilities and effectiveness. Thirty-two participants performed a total of 20 exercise sessions following the Weelo guide on a laptop. The participants were evaluated using a before and after exercise program, body composition, handgrip strength, six-minute walk test, modified star excursion balance test, short form 36, fatigue severity scale, Beck depression index, and a satisfaction survey. Overall, there was a significant improvement in muscle strength, endurance, and balance ability, as well as an improved quality of life and significant reduction in fatigue and depression. Participants showed high motivation to continue following the Weelo exercise program. In conclusion, utilizing Weelo improved physical and mental well-being and is considered to be an individual-use indoor exercise program that serves as an alternative to traditional face-to-face exercise.
Highlights
IntroductionInterest in online fitness has rapidly increased due to advancements in technology and the expansion of the digital health care market [1,2]
According to the baseline international physical activity questionnaire short form (IPAQ-SF), seven out of 32 participants actively participated in physical activity, and their mean energy expenditure was 788.56 ± 742.55 METs/week
The results of this study demonstrated that Weelo is a physically and psychologically effective home fitness program
Summary
Interest in online fitness has rapidly increased due to advancements in technology and the expansion of the digital health care market [1,2]. Technology-based interventions confer several advantages over traditional face-to-face approaches, as they are often cost-effective, enable continuous self-monitoring, and are accessible, reducing the barriers of transportation and time [3,4]. The unprecedented lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic has increased consumer and developer awareness of the need for online home fitness, to overcome restrictions to at-home spaces and the lack of accessibility to exercise programs equipment but to solve the physiological and psychological health problems that arise when there are limitations to physical activity [5]
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