GTO Badge: A Dedicated App Helps Users Prepare for Fitness Tests
Researchers at the Institute of Humanities at Siberian Federal University (SFU) have developed an interactive app to help people prepare for GTO (Ready for Labor and Defense), Russia's national physical fitness testing program. The app runs on dedicated kiosks and Windows computers. Web and mobile versions are also in the works.
Want to take the fitness tests and show that you're in great shape, but not sure where to start? A new app is designed to help. It does more than explain what GTO is, what participants need to demonstrate, and which performance targets they should aim for. It shows users exactly what they need to prepare for, taking into account their sex, age, physical abilities, and even personal preferences.
The university's Digital Humanities laboratory developed the software, while experts from SFU's Institute of Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism contributed their knowledge of fitness and sports.
"The main goal is to make information about the GTO program clear, accessible, and easy to understand. Users select their age group and sex, then choose the distinction badge they want to earn: gold, silver, or bronze. The app displays the corresponding fitness standards, including mandatory tests and additional tests users can choose from," explains Alexey Sanin, co-developer of the app and head of the Digital Humanities laboratory.
Workout Plans and Instructional Videos
Users can create a personalized training plan in the app, selecting the tests and exercises they need to complete to achieve their desired results. But the product does more than help them put together a plan: it also guides them through the process of reaching their goal. Instructional videos explain the finer points of proper exercise technique.
"Essentially, we've brought fitness standards, convenient test selection, and instructional materials together in a single interactive environment," Sanin says. The developers say the app is designed for a broad audience, starting at age six, with no upper age limit. Another major advantage is that it can run offline, without an internet connection.
The app is now awaiting the official opening of a dedicated GTO facility, where it can be tested and users' feedback collected to guide further development.
Interactive, Simple, and Useful
The project is an example of specialized software designed for digital self-service kiosks in educational institutions and public spaces.
The app makes it easier to understand GTO requirements. Users no longer have to work through tables of fitness standards on their own. Instead, the system selects the relevant information based on their age and chosen category. This is particularly useful for children and older adults who are preparing to take the tests for the first time. The technology can also help promote grassroots sports, physical fitness, and the GTO program itself.
Interactive kiosks running the app could be installed in schools, universities, sports facilities, and GTO testing centers. Once the web and mobile versions become available, users will also be able to access the service without needing a dedicated kiosk.
A Product for a Specialized Market
SFU's development is a practical IT product designed to fill a specific niche: interactive services for public spaces. Similar products already exist, but what makes this one distinctive is that it was developed at a university. Russian universities are actively creating specialized digital solutions for a range of fields, and sports are no exception.
The next stage of development could include personalized recommendations for preparing for selected tests and computer vision tools to analyze exercise technique. The app could also be adapted for people with disabilities and health limitations. The GTO program already includes special fitness standards for certain participant categories. Supporting these requirements, along with an accessible user interface, would significantly expand the app's potential audience.
