Interaction Design for Running

Running is a popular activity for reasons of health, fun or socializing. Just as popular are the available applications for the runners' devices. Applications for the runner’s phone, watch, or head-up display include heart rate and pace monitors, navigators or exercise games.

However, the runner’s motion and strong association with the running activity make the user interface design a particularly delicate issue as it can have strong effects on the runner. For example, using certain applications while running may help to keep the runner motivated, but may also break the runner’s flow. Despite the effects that using applications can have on the runner, little is known about how such usage affects the running motion. This research, consequently, investigates the relationship between user interfaces and the runner’s motion.

The goal of this research is to support future design and development of user interfaces for runners by deepening the understanding of the effects of using computer devices on the runner’s motion. Methods to achieve this goal include kinematic analysis under different conditions (i.e. normal vs. affected running motion) and asking the runner about the effort required for particular interaction methods or how the enjoyment of running is affected. The findings will result in metrics, models, and evaluation methods that will enable designers and developers to compare the influences of different interaction methods on the runner’s motion and predict the limits of particular interaction methods.