The effect of lower extremity exercise on gait, balance and proprioceptive sensation with or without AR

Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of lower extremity muscle strength exercise on gait, balance and proprioception depending on presence and absence of the augmented reality. Methods/Statistical analysis: After the preliminary investigation, 52 healthy male and female university students agreed to participate in this study and were physically disease free. The subjects were divided into randomized Augmented Reality Exercise group (AREG) and Non-Augmented Reality Exercise group (NAREG). We did not provide the augmented reality to the control group. The subjects have conducted the lower extremity strength exercise three times a week for a total of four weeks. The results were measured before and after 4 weeks. For data analysis, we used matching sample t-test for comparison between groups and the independent-sample t-test for comparison of changes in groups. Findings: There were no significant differences between the groups in knee angle while walking, but there were no significant differences between the groups in balance and proprioception. Also In the experimental group(AREG), the balance and proprioception were activated, showing a statistically significant difference. In the control group (NAREG), the balance and angle of knee flexion during walking showed a statistically significant difference. Improvements/Applications: As a result of this study, the group with AR exercise showed more changes in proprioception and sagittal plane of legs than the group without AR when they both exercise for strengthening lower body.