Can Physical Activity in Immersive Virtual Reality Be Attractive and Have Sufficient Intensity to Meet Health Recommendations for Obese Children? A Pilot Study

Abstract

Immersive virtual reality (IVR) is a technology that blurs the line between the physical world and a digital environment. Using appropriate pointing devices, it is possible to engage in physical activity (PA). The main aim of the study was to assess the attractiveness and intensity of physical exercise while playing active video games (AVGs) in IVR on an omnidirectional treadmill by obese children and to present the results compared to health recommendations (PA). It was also assessed whether the AVGs storyline can effectively motivate the participants to undertake locomotor activity by increasing the intensity of their effort (moving in a limited space vs. having to follow a set route). Eleven children aged 8 to 12 years with diagnosed obesity participated in the experiment. The attractiveness of PA was assessed with a questionnaire, while the intensity of exercise was estimated on the basis of heart rate. The answers show that AVGs are attractive and more enjoyable for the respondents than conventional video games. All participants declared their willingness to practice this form of PA. The intensity of PA of obese children during two games was high but during the game where the player was supposed to follow a set route, it was significantly higher (83.3 ± 9.2% HRmax) than during the game whose storyline assumed moving in a limited space (77.4 ± 9.8% HRmax). Due to the high intensity of PA while playing the AVGs studied, it can be assumed that obese children can benefit for their health if the games are used on a regular basis. However, further research is needed to verify this thesis.

Virtual reality exergaming improves affect during physical activity and reduces subsequent food consumption in inactive adults.

“…The observed effects of VR exergaming on energy intake are consistent with earlier research that has used alternative means to improve participants' affective response to physical activity (Beer et al, 2017;Werle et al, 2015), and it adds to the literature demonstrating the value of VR technology to support weight management (Johnsen et al, 2014;Mcclure & Schofield, 2020;Polechoński et al, 2020). Within the context of daily energy intake, a mean reduction of 109kcal in food consumption is small.…”

“…The use of augmented reality technology to elicit physical activity has received increased interest from researchers and decision-makers to promote physical activity and inform population nutrition interventions (Gao et al, 2020;Hoenink et al, 2020;Johnsen et al, 2014;Polechoński et al, 2020). This study aims to be the first to evaluate the value of fully immersive VR exergaming to influence post-exercise eating behaviour.…”

Assessment of the Relevance and Reliability of Reaction Time Tests Performed in Immersive Virtual Reality by Mixed Martial Arts Fighters

“…This newly created technology is increasingly applied in various areas of life, such as industry [5], medicine, rehabilitation and healthcare [6][7][8][9][10][11] or education [12,13]. The potential of this technology has also recently been noticed in the context of health-promoting physical activity [14][15][16][17][18], its application for physical education [19], cognitive functions training [20,21], as well as various applications in sport, among which virtual training and performance analysis are the most frequently quoted [22,23].…”

“…Some of them are compatible with training devices such as multi-directional treadmills, cycloergometers, rowing simulators, etc. It was proven that locomotive movements promote enhanced physical effort, increase immersion and receive positive user assessment [16,17,[26][27][28][29]. In connection with this fact, research is beginning to be undertaken in connection with the analysis of movement in VR [30][31][32].…”

Applicability of an Immersive Virtual Reality Exercise Training System for Office Workers during Working Hours

“…Recently, IVR has been widely used for many reasons, such as rehabilitation, training and prevention. For instance, exercise in a virtual environment has been used to help obese children to reach health recommendations [ 17 ], and healthy adults to improve balance and decrease the risk of falls [ 18 ]. Additionally, training in a virtual reality environment has been used by coaches for their athletes, especially in team ball sports, to fit them properly for any situation in the field [ 19 ].…”