Effect of acute high-intensity interval cycling while viewing a virtual natural scene on mood and eating behavior in men: A randomized pilot trial

Abstract

Summary Background and aim This study examined the effect of using virtual reality glasses during high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) on mood and eating behaviour in men. Methods Twenty-three healthy young men (age 20.5 ± 1.2 years, BMI 22.1 ± 3.4 kg/m2, VO2peak 34.6 ± 6.5 ml/kg/min) participated in the study. Augmented green environment virtual reality while performing HIIE (VR) compared with HIIE (CON) at 90 %VO2peak were performed for 20 min. Mood was assessed using the Subjective Exercise Experiences Scale (SEES), which consists of three domains including positive well-being, psychological distress, and fatigue. Eating behaviour was assessed and included appetite sensations, food preferences, and food intake. Results Results showed that there was no significant differences between VR and CON on mood and eating behaviour. The interaction of preference (implicit wanting) for high fat food showed a tendency to increase from pre-post VR compared to CON (P = 0.052). A secondary analysis of tertiles of the three domains of SEES showed no interaction effect of VR vs CON on appetite sensations. However, there was a general group effects of psychological distress on desire to eat (P = 0.049). Conclusions In conclusion, VR-augmented HIIE did not have a differential effect on mood or eating behaviour compared to HIIE alone, except a potential negative impact on fat preference. Psychological distress may lead to greater desire to eat during VR-augmented HIIE.