Compliance to Prescribed Training Among Recreational Swimmers Using Augmented-Reality Swim Goggles: A Randomized Controlled Trial
The following FORM study was published by Taylor and Francis in the British Journal of Sports Science on September 1st, 2025.
Summary of the Trial
Purpose
The study examined whether real-time visual feedback (via FORM Smart Swim Goggles) improves swimmers’ compliance with prescribed training plans compared to traditional printed instructions and standard timing tools.
Design & Participants
- Randomized controlled trial registered at clinicaltrials.gov
- 57 recreational swimmers
- Duration: 12 weeks
- Training plans: 35 workouts assigned across three volumes (small, medium, large)
- Groups:
- Feedback (FB): Used FORM Goggles for real-time visual feedback
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Non-feedback (NFB): Used printed instructions & standard tools
Findings
- Real-time visual feedback: Imposes minimal additional mental effort, making it a feasible tool for delivering structured instructions.
- Workout length compliance: FB group significantly outperformed NFB in small and large training plans (p < 0.004, large effect sizes).
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Interval effort compliance: Higher in the FB group for the large plan (69% vs. 58%, p = 0.044).
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Interval rest time: Mean Average Percentage Error (MAPE) was 66% lower in the FB group, although not statistically significant due to high variability between participants.
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Other metrics: No meaningful differences between groups.
Conclusion
Real-time visual feedback:
- Is a viable method for delivering structured feedback while swimming.
- Strongly improves adherence to prescribed workout lengths.
- Provides modest improvements in interval effort compliance.
AI-based technique coaching via HeadCoach™ and individualized AI-guided workouts were not included in this trial but represent compelling opportunities for future research.
