The Comparisons of Heart Rate Variability and Perceived Exertion During Simulated Cycling with Various Viewing Devices

Abstract

Sympathovagal modulation during immersion in a virtual environment is an important influence on human performance of a task. The aim of this study is to investigate sympathovagal modulation using heart rate variability and perceived exertion during exercise in a virtual reality (VR) environment.Sixteen young healthy volunteers were tested while using a stationary bicycle and maintained at an anaerobic threshold intensity for exercise sessions of approximately 10 min duration. Four randomized viewing alternatives were provided including desktop monitor, projector, head mounted device (HMD), and no simulation display. The "no simulation display" served as the control group. A quick ramp exercise test was conducted and maintained at an anaerobic threshold intensity for each session to evaluate power spectral density and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). The sampled heart rate data were rearranged by cubic spline interpolation into power spectrums spanning the ultra-low frequency (ULF) to high frequency (HF) range.A significant difference was found between the no-display and projector groups for total power (TP) and very low frequency (VLF) components. In particular, there was a significant difference when comparing HMD and no-display exercise RPE curves within 6 min of cycling and at the termination of the exercise. A significant difference was also achieved in projector vs. control group comparison at the termination of the exercise.Our results indicate that the use of HMD and the projected VR during cycling can reduce the TP and VLF power spectral density through a proposed decrease in the renin-angiotensin system, with the implication that this humoral effect may enable anaerobic exercise for longer durations through a reduction in sympathetic tone and subsequent increased blood flow to the muscles.

Validity of Commonly Used Heart Rate Variability Markers of Autonomic Nervous System Function

“…The lack of correlation between VLF and EDA reactivity suggests that VLF does not represent sympathetic cardiac modulation as suggested recently by a number of papers [2, 31-34]. This contradicts the paper by Shaffer et al [2] which suggests that the amplitude and frequency of the VLF rhythm is modulated by efferent sympathetic activity.…”

“…However, a relatively recent study has suggested that the VLF rhythm is intrinsically generated by the heart and that the amplitude and frequency of these oscillations are modulated by efferent sympathetic activity [2]. Therefore, some studies have actually utilized VLF power as a reflection of sympathetic tone [2, 31-34]. …”

Does Virtual Reality Enhance Exercise Performance, Enjoyment, and Dissociation? An Exploratory Study on a Stationary Bike Apparatus

“…However, until recently, very few studies examined whether VR stationary exercise bike equipment truly promotes a dissociation attentional focus and enhances enjoyment of the experience. Indeed, few studies have directly tested the effect of a VR setting on affective states and/or performance during indoor cycling (Annesi & Mazas, 1997;Chuang et al, 2003;Huang, Tsai, Sung, Lin, & Chuang, 2008;IJsselsteijn, De Kort, Westerink, De Jaggerand, & Bonants, 2006;Mac Rae, Miller-Perrinand, & Tinberg, 2003;Plante, Aldridge, Ogden, & Hanelin, 2003;Plante, Frazier, et al, 2003). Annesi and Mazas (1997) tested the effect of a 14-week VR exercise bicycle program in a fitness center on adherence and exercise-induced feeling states among 45 adults, aged between 20 and 60 years.…”

“…Finally, few studies have directly tested VR effects on exercise performance. Indeed, in a recent paper Huang et al (2008) report that VR feedback actually enables anaerobic exercise for longer duration by reducing perceived exertion (see also Chuang et al, 2003). However, these two studies were conducted in a rehabilitation (poststroke) context that may not be easily generalized to nonpathologic populations.…”

On the usefulness of the concept of presence in virtual reality applications

“…An initial demonstration of the interest of such measures was made with the famous "pit room" experiment [24]. Recent studies [25] have proposed to use heart rate variability, instead of average heart rate, to measure relaxation effects of immersive displays on exertion during a fitness task. This type of measurement of presence is now widely used, often in conjunction with subjective (questionnaire) evaluations.…”