Innovation and imagination: what does the future of aquatic exercise look like?

Technology is evolving rapidly and is shaping the way we exercise on land. The use of technology in aquatic exercise is less advanced and has mainly been focused in a research setting with the investigation of wearables and exercise measurement in the water.1,2  OpenAI is building  artificial intelligence (AI) with a mission to have highly autonomous systems with broad benefits. They released a number of their models on a free research preview late last year.  The research previews of some of the OpenAI models gives us a chance to consider how to improve data analysis or decision making processes as well as using the OpenAI brainstorming and visual outputs to stimulate our imaginations.

We experimented with generating images of futuristic aquatic exercise with the Open AI DALL·E 2 system. DALL·E 2 uses  natural language to prompt the model. It then creates the picture. The visualizations of a futuristic aquatic exercise experience are another creative way to brainstorm ideas:)

ChatGPT, another research preview from OpenAI, writes plausible-sounding but sometimes incorrect or nonsensical answers to prompts. Nick Cave wasn’t impressed with ChatGPT’s song writing ability and it definitely can’t compete with Shakespeare.  We asked ChatGPT to write us a story about a futuristic aquatic exercise experience. Here are a couple of examples:

Jeff's adventures: Jeff was always one to try out the latest and greatest in fitness technology. As he arrived at the pool on the first day of class, he was struck by how much it had changed since he last visited. The once-plain pool was now lined with sleek, futuristic machines and devices, all designed to enhance the workout experience.

Jeff was amazed by the technology at work. There were devices that created resistance in the water, allowing for a more challenging workout. There were also virtual reality headsets that transported the class to exotic locations around the world, adding an element of excitement to their routine. He had never experienced anything like it before and was thrilled to be a part of such a cutting-edge workout.

As the class came to an end, Jeff emerged from the pool feeling invigorated and energized. He couldn't wait to come back and see what other technological wonders the aquatic exercise class had in store.

Kathy's trip to the pool: Kathy tried a new aquatic exercise program designed to be an immersive, high-tech workout experience that incorporated advanced technology and robot instructors.  

When Kathy stepped into the pool, she was amazed by the advanced technology that surrounded her. There were sensors and monitors everywhere, tracking her every move and providing her with real-time feedback on her performance.

The robot instructor was a sight to behold. It was a sleek, humanoid machine that was able to move through the water with grace and precision. As Kathy followed its lead, she was amazed by the variety of exercises it was able to lead her through.

From cardio to strength training, the robot instructor had it all covered. As the class came to an end, Kathy couldn't believe how much fun she had had. She knew that she would definitely be back for more future.

The conclusions of both of the ChatGPT stories about Jeff and Kathy are particularly upbeat, leaving them both excited for more aquatic exercise. A reminder that perhaps our challenges with aquatic exercise for all of us are about behaviour and motivation rather than just about the use of big data and AI.

The foundations of aquatic therapy date back to the ancient civilizations and as we move into the future there is huge potential to improve the accessibility and benefits of aquatic exercise across the world. The opportunities for technology to provide physical assistance or data analysis is exciting. No doubt there are many innovations to come in the future of aquatic exercise and the acceptability and value of these will need to be tested. To finish we’ll leave you with a DALL·E 2 generated picture on the future of aquatic rehabilitation but note that we feel confident that we aren't out of a job yet (and the water is a pretty amazing place to exercise tech-free!).

1.      Monoli, C., Tuhtan, J. A., Piccinini, L., & Galli, M. (2022). Wearable technologies for monitoring aquatic exercises: A systematic review. Clinical Rehabilitation, 02692155221141039

2.     Marinho, D. A., Neiva, H. P., & Morais, J. E. (2019). The use of wearable sensors in human movement analysis in non-swimming aquatic activities: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(24), 5067