Inspiring Movement — Physical Activity in a Virtual Sea as a Driver for Ecological Awareness

Abstract

As environmental pollution continues to expand, new ways for raising awareness for the consequences need to be explored. Virtual reality has emerged as an effective tool for behavioral change. This paper investigates if virtual reality applications controlled through physical activity can support an even stronger effect, because they enhance attention and recall performance by stimulating working memory through motor functions. This was tested in an experimental study ([Formula: see text]) using a virtual reality head-mounted display in combination with the ICAROS fitness device enabling participants to explore either a plastic-polluted or a non-polluted sea. Results indicated that using a regular controller elicits more presence and a more intense Flow experience than the ICAROS condition, which people controlled via their physical activity. Moreover, the plastic-polluted stimulus was more effective in inducing people’s stated tendency to change their attitude than a non-polluted sea.