EmotionalBoxing: Interface Innovations with Anthropomorphic Targets and Punch-and-Fly Feedback in VR Rhythm Boxing Exergames

Abstract

Recent advances in virtual reality (VR) have renewed interest in exergames, yet current designs often fail to sustain motivation. We present EmotionalBoxing, a VR rhythm boxing game introducing two interface innovations: anthropomorphic and emotional targets, and punch-and-fly visual feedback. A within-subject study with 24 male participants tested whether the two interface innovations improve user experience and exercise performance. Mediation analyses showed that punch-and-fly feedback significantly enhanced punching velocity via psychological need satisfaction, whereas anthropomorphic targets did not significantly increase hostility; instead, hostility itself was found to negatively influence punching velocity. These findings highlight the motivational benefits of physics-based graded feedback in rhythm exergames and suggest that the impact of emotional targets depends on rendering style and task framing. Our results inform future VR exergame design by linking interface features to motivation and performance outcomes.