Influencing body awareness through interactive technology in physical training : A design-oriented research in equestrian vaulting with an excursion into neuromuscular biofeedback

Abstract: Current research is underdeveloped regarding the application and development of interactive technology in instructed physical training. This includes the lack of training tools and methods targeting body awareness. Underdeveloped body awareness leads to a lack of self-confidence and the lack to relate to oneself emotionally, mentally and/or physically, as well as the inability to relate oneself to the external world. Therefore further research in this area is strongly required. Accordingly, this thesis deals with the questions of what types of body awareness can be designed for in a physical training context as well as how to influence the identified types through interactive technology. Reducing the thesis’ scope, the applied research concentrated on the physical training of equestrian vaulting. Therefore, a research through design approach was applied in combination with a selection of embodied interaction methods. In total, two epochés, two bodystorming workshops, two experienced prototyping sessions, one expert interview and one pilot study were conducted by focusing on an explorative, qualitative approach while putting high emphasize on the user involvement. Through the iterative development, the effect of neuromuscular biofeedback on body awareness was tested and discussed on a superficial level as one example of how interactive technology could influence body awareness. Overall, results identified various types of and issues with body awareness that re-occurred throughout different training situations and for which the integration of interactive technology could be beneficial. These results further lead to design implications for and insights about the design of interactive technology aiming at supporting the training of the identified body awareness issues.