Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Serious Games
Date Submitted: Apr 10, 2025
Date Accepted: Nov 13, 2025
Date Submitted to PubMed: Nov 27, 2025
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Effects of Immersive Virtual Reality-Based Exercise Intervention on Psychological and Physiological Outcomes in College Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
Physical inactivity is a major public health issue among college students, often exacerbated by academic pressures and lifestyle shifts. Traditional exercise interventions typically suffer from poor adherence due to low motivation and engagement. Immersive virtual reality (VR)-based exercise interventions may address these barriers by providing interactive and motivating experiences, yet empirical evidence regarding their psychological and physiological benefits remains scarce.
Objective:
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 4-week immersive VR-based exercise intervention on psychological and physiological health outcomes in college students.
Methods:
A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 36 college students randomized into either a VR exercise group (n = 17) or a control group (n = 19). Participants in the VR group engaged in immersive VR cycling sessions (two 60-minute sessions weekly) using the VirZoom VR system, while the control group continued their normal routines. Psychological outcomes assessed pre- and post-intervention included exercise motivation (Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-2), mood states (Brunel Mood Scale), and depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory). Physiological outcomes assessed were cardiovascular fitness (3-Minute Step Test) and body composition (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis). A two-way repeated measures ANOVA analyzed intervention effects.
Results:
Significant time-group interactions indicated enhanced intrinsic motivation (p = 0.02, η² = 0.25), improved mood states with increased vigor (p = 0.01, η² = 0.18), and decreased confusion (p = 0.01, η² = 0.17), fatigue (p = 0.02, η² = 0.16), and tension (p = 0.003, η² = 0.24) in the VR group. Depressive symptoms were also significantly reduced (p = 0.03, η² = 0.14). Physiological outcomes showed significant improvements in the VR group, including decreased body fat percentage (Δ = -1.6%, p < 0.001) and enhanced cardiovascular fitness (Δ = -16.88 bpm, p < 0.001) compared to controls.
Conclusions:
This study supports immersive VR-based exercise as an engaging, effective alternative to traditional physical activity programs, demonstrating significant improvements in psychological and physiological health in college students. Future research should investigate long-term effects, broader population applicability, and comparative effectiveness against traditional exercise modalities. Clinical Trial: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06902727, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06902727
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Copyright
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