Effects Of A Virtual Reality Exercise Intervention On Health-related Physiological And Psychological Outcomes Among College Students

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study examined the effectiveness of a 4-week virtual reality (VR) exercise intervention on college students’ health physiological and psychological health outcomes. METHODS: A total of 36 college students completed the intervention (Mage = 23.89, SD = 3.57; MBMI = 25.29, SD = 3.96). Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) intervention group - participants exercised on an immersive VR-based exercise bike for one hour per session, two times per week, for 4 weeks; (2) control group - participants maintained their usual activities for 4 weeks. Participants’ percent body fat (%BF) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) were assessed using validated instruments at baseline and 4 weeks. Their exercise motivation, mood, and depressive symptoms were assessed using a battery of surveys at baseline and 4 weeks. Two-way repeated measures ANOVAs examined between-group differences on the preceding physiological and psychological outcomes over time. RESULTS: Significant time x group interactions were observed for %BF (F(1,34) = 17.26, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.34) and CRF (F(1,34) = 30.05, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.47). Specifically, intervention participants’ %BF and CRF observed significant improvements after 4 weeks. In addition, significant interactions were observed for identified regulation (F(1,34) = 6.55, p = 0.02, ηp2 = 0.16), intrinsic regulation (F(1,34) = 11.21, p = 0.02, ηp2 = 0.25), confusion (F(1,34) = 6.72, p = 0.01, ηp2 = 0.17), fatigue (F(1,34) = 6.46, p = 0.02, ηp2 = 0.16), tension (F(1,34) = 10.44, p = 0.003, ηp2 = 0.24), vigor (F(1,34) = 7.22, p = 0.01, ηp2 = 0.18), and depression symptoms (F(1,34) = 5.53, p = 0.03, ηp2 = 0.14). Specifically, intervention participants’ motivation, mood, and depressive symptoms were significantly improved after 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicated that a 4-week VR-based exercise intervention was effective in promoting college students’ exercise motivation, improving overall mood states, depressive symptoms, cardiorespiratory fitness, and body composition.