App offer exercise programming and behavior support through 3D game technology
Ginkgo Health has introduced Ginkgo Active, a fitness app designed to address the needs of individuals at higher risk for chronic conditions, offering personalized exercise prescriptions and behavioral support. The app aims to fill a gap in the fitness app market, which has historically focused on self-motivated users.
“People cannot engage in exercise for different reasons,” said Maggie Deng, founder and CEO of Ginkgo Health. “To achieve lasting health benefits, it’s not enough to engage people in healthy behaviors for a short period. Our goal is to inspire lifelong engagement and help individuals integrate fitness and wellness into their daily lives.”
App Features and Approach
Ginkgo Active uses a 3D game engine to provide a virtual environment where users receive exercise plans and behavioral support. After an initial assessment guided by the app’s AI feature, Professor Ginkgo, users are given access to a customizable virtual island, including a private gym where a digital twin demonstrates their prescribed exercises.
The app’s design incorporates principles of self-determination theory, which focuses on autonomy, competency, and relatedness to encourage consistent use and sustainable fitness habits. Users can choose from various settings, such as snowy mountains or sunny beaches, to complete their workouts.
Early adopters have reported positive results, according to a Ginkgo Active press release. One 53-year-old user from Vancouver, Canada, began using the app after hip replacement surgery. She reports using the app five times a week, which helped her return to hiking and walking long distances.
Another user named Sarah, from Washington, D.C., enrolled her family in the app’s family plan after a relative’s sudden heart attack. Each family member received a personalized plan that adapted to their individual fitness levels and health needs. Sarah’s mother, for example, experienced relief from chronic leg cramps after using the app’s exercises for 2 weeks.
Future Development
Ginkgo Health plans to expand the app’s features to include more personalized content, group challenges, and tools for building long-term habits. These updates aim to enhance the app’s role as a comprehensive resource for health and wellness.
The app is available on multiple platforms. More information can be found at www.ginkgo.health.
