The framework and implementation of Virtual Network Marathon

In this paper, we present an exergame called VNM (Virtual Network Marathon). The VNM employs devised treadmills for immersive virtual running in local network or on Internet, which are embedded with various sensors for collecting the body performance data and connected with computers or Set-Top Box (STB) to synchronously control the player's avatar in the virtual game environment. VNM is implemented on a novel ISCAL model (Immersion, Scientificalness, Competitiveness, Adaptability and Learning) model for exergames design, The exercise time and intensity strictly conform to the physical exercise guidelines of the ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine), and a novel demonstration-based non-player modeling technique is employed to simulate the marathon race crowd. The VNM also allows players to learn the Chinese culture and the Olympic knowledge in the tour mode during or after the running exercise. The user study of VNM indicates that the proposed ISCAL model can be successfully applied in the exergame design.