Comparison of Energy Expenditure During Virtual Reality Exercise and Outdoor Exercise

Authors

Devin M. Green, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
Myranda PeckFollow
Olivia R. Perez, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
Eric LambertFollow
Setareh ZareiFollow
Lijie Zhou, Southern Utah UniversityFollow
James W. Navalta, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
Jeffrey CowleyFollow

Abstract

Human motor control and physiological responses to virtual activities have been largely unquantified. The aim of this study was to compare virtual (VR) and outdoor (OUT) walks of the same distance. There is a growing need to understand how humans experience different modes of virtual activity, so appropriate recommendations for virtual exercise can be given and improve virtual experiences. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to measure and compare how individuals walk in virtual reality (VR) compared to real life, as well as to evaluate energy expenditure and substrate utilization in the form of fats and carbohydrates. METHODS: Participants completed screening and informed consent prior to starting the study and demographic information (age, height (cm), weight (kg)) was collected. Participants were outfitted with various wearable devices including a Polar heart rate monitor, a portable metabolic unit (Cosmed K5), Stryd Power foot pods, and a VR headset (during the VR walk). Participants completed a self paced half mile walks outdoors and a self paced half mile walk on a VR treadmill (KAT Walk C2+, KAT VR) both (~9 mins). The order of the walks was randomized to minimize order effects. Dependent variables included calories expended per minute, average percent fat burned, average percent carbohydrate utilized. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests with significance accepted at pd with negligible = 0.0–0.2, small = 0.2–0.49, medium = 0.5–0.79, and large ≥ 0.8. RESULTS: Calories per minute were not different between VR and OUT sessions (VR= 6.1, OUT= 5.8, p=0.25, d=0.02). There were no significant differences in fat or carbohydrate substrate utilization between VR and OUT sessions (VR_fat=71%, OUT_fat= 72%, p=0.80, d=0.02; VR_carb=29%, OUT_carb= 28% p=0.80, d=0.02). CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide evidence there is no differences in calories per minute, percentage of carbohydrates, and percentage of fats burned when walking on a VR treadmill or walking outside. From an energy expenditure perspective, walking on a VR treadmill can confer the same benefits as walking outdoors baring high wind, rain, and snow.

Recommended Citation

Green, Devin M.; Peck, Myranda; Perez, Olivia R.; Lambert, Eric; Zarei, Setareh; Zhou, Lijie; Navalta, James W.; and Cowley, Jeffrey (2024) "Comparison of Energy Expenditure During Virtual Reality Exercise and Outdoor Exercise," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14: Iss. 4, Article 59.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss4/59