The portable wearBands resistance system increases exercise intensity during mixed-reality boxing without reducing enjoyment or flow

Abstract

Introduction Physical activity in a mixed-reality (MR) environment may be an attractive exercise; however, its intensity depends on application characteristics and the extent of whole-body involvement. One method of increasing exercise load during activities based primarily on upper-limb movements may be additional elastic resistance. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of elastic resistance applied to the upper limbs on exercise intensity, perceived exertion, enjoyment, and flow state during boxing in MR. Method The study included 36 university students, comprising 20 women (age: 22.25 ± 1.52 years) and 16 men (age: 22.00 ± 1.46 years). Each participant completed three 10-minute simulated boxing bouts against an artificial intelligence-controlled opponent in the Golden Gloves application using a Meta Quest 3 headset in mixed-reality mode. Trials were performed without resistance and with lower or higher elastic resistance generated on the participant's body using the WearBands system. The order of conditions was counterbalanced. Exercise intensity was assessed based on the percentage of maximum heart rate (%HR max ) and the Borg 6–20 scale. Enjoyment was assessed using the short Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale, whereas flow state was evaluated using the short Flow State Scale. Results Increasing elastic resistance resulted in a significant increase in mean heart rate, from 156.61 ± 15.26 beats/min without resistance to 164.97 ± 13.99 beats/min with lower resistance and 169.75 ± 13.42 beats/min with higher resistance ( p < 0.001; η 2 p = 0.63). A similar relationship was found for %HR max , which increased from 81.34 ± 7.83% to 85.68 ± 7.21% and 88.17 ± 6.96%, respectively ( p < 0.001; η 2 p = 0.63). Perceived exertion also increased with resistance, reaching 10.86 ± 2.32, 13.50 ± 2.13, and 15.83 ± 1.84 points, respectively ( p < 0.001; W = 0.84). No significant differences were found in enjoyment or flow state. Discussion The portable elastic resistance system for upper limbs progressively increased heart rate-based and perceived intensity during a 10-minute MR boxing bout without reducing enjoyment or flow in active university students. These findings suggest WearBands may practically manipulate MR exercise load; longitudinal studies are needed to assess safety, adherence, metabolic demand, and training effects.