Compliance to prescribed training among recreational swimmers using augmented-reality swim goggles: A randomised controlled trial

Complying with prescribed training plans is an important challenge for swimmers, as deviations from intended intensity or duration can reduce gains in performance and fitness. This randomised controlled trial investigated whether real-time visual feedback enhances compliance with prescribed training protocols among recreational swimmers. Fifty-seven participants were randomised into feedback (FB) and non-feedback (NFB) groups and completed 35 workouts over 12 weeks across three training volumes (small, medium, large). The FB group used FORM Goggles to receive real-time visual feedback; the NFB group used printed instructions and standard timing tools. Metrics included workout length count, workout effort, incomplete workouts, interval effort, rest time, and stroke type. Compliance was analysed using generalised linear mixed-effects models. The FB group demonstrated significantly better compliance with workout length count than the NFB group in the small and large plans (p < 0.004), with large effect sizes. Interval effort compliance was also higher in the FB group for the large training plan (69% vs. 58%, p = 0.044). Other metrics showed no meaningful group differences. These findings suggest that real-time visual feedback improves adherence to prescribed workout length and, to a lesser extent, interval effort, supporting its potential value in recreational swim training programmes.