This research's objective is to identify lacking elements in various effectors utilized in current physical training for cyclists. This encompasses both virtual reality-based system and indoor conventional training. Another objective is to identify user's acceptance from the use of vProCycle; which acts as the primary instrument of this study. Virtual Reality (VR) technology is a computer-generated simulation experience where immersive surroundings replicate lifelike environments -and is used for cyclists' physical training. Distinctive combinations of stimulus effectors (such as altitude, wind-effect, visuals, audio etcetera) have been applied to simulate actual world training environment. This is in order to increase the fidelity of presence for the participants involved, with emphasis on the five human senses. However, in this research the focus is only on hearing, sight, and interaction. The methodology of this mixed-mode pilot study is inclusive of 2 cyclists as participants and a 30 minute training session inside the hypoxic chamber room, whereby they have experienced a VR visual route replica of L'Étape du Tour, France. Variables composed of distinctive stimulus effectors are employed during the training, and survey interviews are utilized to gain users' insight. Results from this pilot study on the presence level indicate that the cyclists' have given high scores.This high score means that the cyclists were immersed while using the vProCycle system. In addition, the cyclists' also gave a high score on the level of technology acceptance towards using vProCycle. The main contribution from this study is to understand how various combinations of stimulus effectors can be applied in a VR-based training system.

Virtual reality (VR) technology is popularly applied in various sports training such as cycling, rowing, soccer, tennis and many more. In VR cycling, however, cyclists are not able to fully immerse themselves during the training due to the hardware and applications limitations required in the setup. In order to be fully immersed during the training, cyclists need to have similar effects to an outdoor training where they will experience cycling resistance, temperature effect, altitude, visual, and audio. For this reason, dedicated stimulus effectors or hardware are required to create these expected effects. On cycling resistance, a realistic cycling experience can be simulated by using a special device that simulates a resistance to the back wheel when cycling uphill in the VR simulation. In addition, the back wheel resistance would need to match the view displayed while paddling on an elevation slope. For higher immersion purposes, and the effect of temperature must be created that matches with the view visible in the display. For example, while the cyclist is on top of a virtual mountain, the cyclist would want to feel the effects of high altitude and low temperature. These stimulus effectors affect the realism experience while cycling in the VR simulation training. In the authors' previous papers, the setup using a combination of stimulus effectors including uphill elevation climb, altitude, temperature, interaction, visual, and audio were integrated into a product called vProCycle. The study tested on vProcycle was conducted with an assumption that virtual reality can enhance the experience of physical cycling training. The objective of this study is to determine whether or not vProCycle may improve cyclists' performance. This paper will discuss in detail the findings from data gathered during the experiment using vProCycle. More specifically, the findings are focused on the speed and the heart rate beats per minute which determine their performance improvement.