Smartphone Exergames with Real-Time Markerless Motion Capture: Challenges and Trade-offs

Markerless Motion Capture (MoCap) using smartphone cameras is a promising approach to making exergames more accessible and cost-effective for health and rehabilitation. Unlike traditional systems requiring specialized hardware, recent advancements in AI-powered pose estimation enable movement tracking using only a mobile device. For an upcoming study, a mobile application with real-time exergames including markerless motion capture is being developed. However, implementing such technology introduces key challenges, including balancing accuracy and real-time responsiveness, ensuring proper user interaction. Future research should explore optimizing AI models for realtime performance, integrating adaptive gamification, and refining user-centered design principles. By overcoming these challenges, smartphone-based exergames could become powerful tools for engaging users in physical activity and rehabilitation, extending their benefits to a broader audience.