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NCT Number: NCT06679348

Exploring Physiological Responses of Virtual Reality Walking Exercise Versus Treadmill Walking in Healthy Individuals

This study aimed to systematically compare the physiological responses generated by walking exercises conducted in a VR environment versus those performed on a treadmill, with a specific focus on their impacts on the autonomic nervous system and fatigue levels

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Key information

Conditions

Autonomous Nervous System Fatigue Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–25 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Istanbul Atlas University

Istanbul, Kagıthane, 34413, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

This study was designed as a single-blind, randomized controlled trial. It was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, adhering to ethical principles for medical research involving human participants. Faculty of health sciences students from İstanbul Atlas University were invited to participate in this study. The inclusion criteria were as follows: aged between 18 and 25 years; classified as inactive or minimally active according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire score; voluntary consent to participate; and a body mass index (BMI) of ≤30 kg/m².

Participants were excluded from the study if they met any of the following conditions: presence of visual, auditory, vestibular, or neurological deficits; a history of inflammatory diseases, surgeries, or cancer; any cardiopulmonary disorders, including asthma, within the last six months; major musculoskeletal injuries sustained within the last six months; other health issues that could compromise safety during exercise; or conditions known to affect autonomic nervous system (ANS) function, such as diabetes mellitus or autonomic neuropathy or current smoking status or failure to adhere to the experimental procedures of our study.

Our study comprehensively examines the effects of virtual reality (VR) walking exercise and traditional treadmill walking on autonomic nervous system (ANS) and fatigue levels during recovery.

Investigations into the physiological responses elicited by VR exercise interventions underscore a critical gap in our understanding of how VR modalities produce distinct responses compared with conventional exercise forms, particularly treadmill walking.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • classified as inactive or minimally active according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire score
  • voluntary consent to participate
  • body mass index (BMI) of ≤30 kg/m²

Exclusion criteria

  • presence of visual, auditory, vestibular, or neurological deficits
  • a history of inflammatory diseases, surgeries, or cancer
  • any cardiopulmonary disorders, including asthma, within the last six months
  • major musculoskeletal injuries sustained within the last six months
  • function, such as diabetes mellitus or autonomic neuropathy
  • current smoking status

Treatment and study plan

walking exercise on treadmill

Other

The study included two intervention groups, consisting of participants who met the inclusion criteria and adhered to the experimental procedures. One group will do treadmill walking exercises, while the other will do treadmill walking exercises using virtual reality (VR). Both interventions were conducted in a single session, with each group participating in a 20-minute walking exercise session at a moderate intensity, as identified by other studies.

Treadmill walking exercise using VR

Other

Walking on the treadmill with the Free Run game on the Nintendo Wii allows users to walk at 5 miles per hour for 20 minutes. The user gets on the Wii Balance Board and starts walking in the virtual environment after running the application. The application detects the user's movements and controls the progress of the virtual character. During this experience, users increase their motivation by encountering various landscapes while tracking their performance and getting information about the calories they spend. This setup provides a fun, game-like atmosphere for a realistic walking experience.

Primary outcomes

  1. autonomic nervous system and fatigue levels

    Time frame: Assessments were conducted at four key time points: before the exercise session (T1), immediately after exercise completion (T2), and during the recovery phase at ten minutes post-exercise (T3) and thirty minutes post-exercise (T4).

    • Autonomic Nervous System Function

    Measure: Heart Rate Variability (HRV) via Polar H10 chest strap. Unit of Measure: Milliseconds (ms) for HRV, reflecting autonomic balance. Interpretation: Higher HRV scores typically indicate better autonomic nervous system regulation, suggesting increased vagal tone and resilience to stress.

    • Fatigue Levels

    Measure: OMNI Scale of Perceived Exertion (OMNI). Unit of Measure: OMNI Scale ranges from 0 (no fatigue) to 10 (maximum fatigue). Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater perceived exertion and fatigue, while lower scores suggest less perceived exertion.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Atlas University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Comparison of Physiological Responses of Virtual Reality Walking Exercise Compared to Walking Performed on Treadmills in Healthy Individuals

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Nov 7, 2024
Registry last updated
Dec 20, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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