# Can You Use the Exercises Dataset for Health-Related Research? License and Compliance Guide

> Learn if you can use the Exercises Dataset for health-related research. Understand the MIT License and attribution requirements for Gym visual media. Get compliant today.

- Repository: [Hasan Emir Yıldırım/exercises-dataset](https://github.com/hasaneyldrm/exercises-dataset)
- Tags: license-and-compliance-guide
- Published: 2026-07-29

---

**Yes, the Exercises Dataset from hasaneyldrm/exercises-dataset can be used for health-related research because the JSON data and code are released under the permissive MIT License, while the visual media requires attribution to Gym visual.**

The hasaneyldrm/exercises-dataset repository provides structured fitness data useful for biomechanics analysis, rehabilitation protocol development, and clinical exercise studies. Because the dataset combines open-source JSON records with third-party visual assets, understanding the specific licensing terms is essential before incorporating it into peer-reviewed health research or clinical trials.

## MIT License Coverage for Health Research

The core dataset and source code are released under terms that explicitly permit medical and scientific applications.

### JSON Data and Source Code

The primary data file [`data/exercises.json`](https://github.com/hasaneyldrm/exercises-dataset/blob/main/data/exercises.json) (containing 1,324 fully described exercise records) and all accompanying code are licensed under the MIT License as defined in the repository's `LICENSE` file. This permits unrestricted reuse, modification, and distribution for any purpose, including commercial health applications and academic clinical studies, provided the original copyright notice and permission notice are retained.

### Schema and Documentation

The [`data/exercises.schema.json`](https://github.com/hasaneyldrm/exercises-dataset/blob/main/data/exercises.schema.json) file and all documentation in [`README.md`](https://github.com/hasaneyldrm/exercises-dataset/blob/main/README.md) fall under the same MIT License terms, allowing researchers to adapt the data structure for specialized health informatics systems without additional restrictions.

## Visual Media Attribution Requirements

The thumbnail images stored in `images/` and GIF animations in `videos/` are copyrighted material owned by **Gym visual** and redistributed with permission under separate terms outlined in [`NOTICE.md`](https://github.com/hasaneyldrm/exercises-dataset/blob/main/NOTICE.md). Any health-related research publication, clinical dashboard, or academic paper that displays these visuals must include the attribution string `© Gym visual — https://gymvisual.com/` and comply with Gym visual's Terms & Conditions of Use.

## Practical Implementation for Clinical Studies

Researchers can integrate the dataset into reproducible analysis pipelines without licensing conflicts by separating data processing from media presentation.

### Python Analysis for Rehabilitation Research

Load the JSON records to filter exercises by target muscle groups relevant to physical therapy. For example, extracting quadriceps-focused movements for knee rehabilitation studies:

```python
import json

with open("data/exercises.json", "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
    exercises = json.load(f)

# Select exercises whose primary target muscle is the quadriceps

quad_exercises = [ex for ex in exercises if ex["target"] == "quadriceps"]
print(f"Found {len(quad_exercises)} quadriceps‑targeted exercises.")
for ex in quad_exercises[:5]:  # show a few examples

    print(f"- {ex['name']} ({ex['equipment']})")

```

### JavaScript for Meta-Analysis

Count body-weight exercises suitable for home-based intervention studies using Node.js:

```javascript
const exercises = require("./data/exercises.json");

// Filter for body‑weight movements
const bodyweight = exercises.filter(ex => ex.equipment === "body weight");
console.log(`Body‑weight exercises: ${bodyweight.length}`);

// List unique categories among body‑weight exercises
const categories = [...new Set(bodyweight.map(ex => ex.category))];
console.log("Categories:", categories);

```

### SQL Schema for Clinical Databases

Import the dataset into a relational database for electronic health record (EHR) integration or clinical trial management systems:

```sql
CREATE TABLE exercises (
    id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
    name TEXT,
    category TEXT,
    body_part TEXT,
    equipment TEXT,
    target TEXT,
    muscle_group TEXT,
    media_id TEXT,
    image TEXT,
    gif_url TEXT,
    attribution TEXT,
    created_at TEXT,
    instructions_en TEXT,
    instructions_es TEXT,
    instructions_it TEXT,
    instructions_tr TEXT,
    instructions_ru TEXT,
    instructions_zh TEXT,
    instructions_hi TEXT,
    instructions_pl TEXT,
    instructions_ko TEXT,
    instructions_fr TEXT
);
-- Load data with your preferred import tool (e.g., COPY for PostgreSQL)

```

## Compliance Checklist for Health Publications

When citing the Exercises Dataset in IRB protocols, clinical trial registrations, or published papers:
- **Retain MIT License notice**: Include the `LICENSE` file or copyright notice in supplementary materials when redistributing the JSON data.
- **Attribute visual media**: Display `© Gym visual — https://gymvisual.com/` adjacent to any thumbnail or animation used in figures, tables, or patient-facing materials.
- **Separate concerns**: Store media files in `images/` and `videos/` distinctly from processed JSON data to ensure compliance boundaries remain clear.

## Summary

- The **MIT License** covering [`data/exercises.json`](https://github.com/hasaneyldrm/exercises-dataset/blob/main/data/exercises.json) and source code permits unrestricted use in health-related research, including commercial clinical applications.
- **Gym visual** retains copyright over images and GIFs in `images/` and `videos/`; use requires the specific attribution string found in [`NOTICE.md`](https://github.com/hasaneyldrm/exercises-dataset/blob/main/NOTICE.md).
- The dataset contains 1,324 exercise records with multilingual instructions, making it suitable for international rehabilitation studies and biomechanics meta-analyses.
- Researchers must include the original MIT License notice when redistributing the JSON data, but do not need to share modifications under the same license (permissive, not copyleft).

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Do I need to obtain IRB approval to use this dataset for clinical research?

IRB approval depends on whether your study involves human subjects. Using the Exercises Dataset itself—whether for algorithm development or exercise protocol design—does not require IRB approval. However, if you apply these exercises to human participants in a clinical trial, standard IRB review and informed consent procedures apply according to your institution's policies.

### Can I sell a commercial fitness app that uses this dataset for physical therapy recommendations?

Yes. The MIT License explicitly permits commercial use. You may integrate the JSON data from [`data/exercises.json`](https://github.com/hasaneyldrm/exercises-dataset/blob/main/data/exercises.json) into proprietary physical therapy applications without releasing your source code. However, you must maintain the attribution to Gym visual for any visual media and include the MIT License notice for the dataset itself.

### Is the dataset suitable for evidence-based medicine (EBM) systematic reviews?

The dataset provides structured exercise metadata suitable for bibliographic analysis and protocol standardization, but it does not include clinical outcome data or randomized controlled trial results. For EBM systematic reviews, use this dataset to standardize exercise nomenclature and classification while citing primary clinical studies for efficacy evidence.

### How should I cite this dataset in a peer-reviewed publication?

Cite the repository as the source of exercise classifications and include the Gym visual attribution for any images used. In your methods section, note that exercise data was sourced from hasaneyldrm/exercises-dataset under the MIT License, and confirm that visual media attribution complies with the terms specified in the repository's [`NOTICE.md`](https://github.com/hasaneyldrm/exercises-dataset/blob/main/NOTICE.md) file.