Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Serious Games
Date Submitted: Nov 27, 2024
Date Accepted: Aug 26, 2025
Become a Rapid Shooter in Game using Embodied Electrical Muscle Stimulation: An Empirical Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) systems are designed to enhance human abilities, including reaction time by inducing preemptive muscle contractions. Previous research emphasizes the importance of preserving the sense of agency for successful EMS applications.
Objective:
The current study investigates the effects of embodied EMS in a serious games-based pistol shooting scenario, focusing on performance enhancement and sense of agency.
Methods:
Two studies were conducted. Study 1 identified the optimal EMS timing (‘sweet spot’) to balance improved response time with the preservation of agency. Study 2 applied these findings in a pistol shooting game under four conditions: averagely-embodied EMS, individually-embodied EMS, immediate EMS, and no EMS.
Results:
Both averagely- and individually-embodied EMSs significantly improved reaction performance while preserving participants’ sense of agency. Individually-embodied EMS provided an additional benefit.
Conclusions:
This research demonstrates the practical effectiveness of embodied EMSs in scenarios requiring rapid reactions and decision-making, with potential applications in sports, rehabilitation, and games.
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Copyright
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