TY  - JOUR
AU  - Merola, Pietro
AU  - Cardoso, Marcos Barros
AU  - Barreto, Gabriel
AU  - Chagas, Matheus Carvalho
AU  - Farias Oliveira Saunders, Luana
AU  - Saunders, Bryan
AU  - Cortozi Berton, Danilo
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/1/7
TI  - Virtual Reality High-Intensity Interval Training Exergaming Compared to Traditional High-Intensity Circuit Training Among Medical Students: Pilot Crossover Study
JO  - JMIR Serious Games
SP  - e63461
VL  - 13
KW  - virtual reality
KW  - VR
KW  - high-intensity interval training
KW  - exercise motivation
KW  - exergame
KW  - physical activity
KW  - exercise
KW  - heart rate
AB  - Background: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a virtual reality (VR) high-intensity interval training (HIIT) boxing protocol compared to traditional high-intensity circuit training (HICT) in improving exercise motivation, engagement, and physiological responses among 30 healthy medical students. Objective: The purpose was to compare the VR HIIT protocol, which involved using an Oculus Quest 2 for a futuristic exoskeleton game experience, with a traditional 12-exercise HICT. Methods: In total, 30 medical students engaged in both VR HIIT, using an Oculus Quest 2 for a futuristic exoskeleton game experience, and a traditional 12-exercise HICT. Metrics included heart rate (HR) and blood lactate levels before and after exercise alongside ratings of perceived exertion and the Situational Motivation Scale. Results: VR HIIT showed significantly higher mean HR (mean 161, SD 15 vs mean 144, SD 11 bpm; d=1.5; P<.001), peak HR (mean 182, SD 15 vs mean 176, SD 11 bpm; d=0.8; P=.001), and ratings of perceived exertion (mean 16, SD 2 vs mean 15, SD 2; d=0.4; P=.03). Postexercise lactate levels were higher in HICT (mean 8.8, SD 4.5 vs mean 10.6, SD 3.0 mmol/L; d=0.6; P=.006). Intrinsic motivation and other psychological measures showed no significant differences, except for lower fatigue in HICT (d=0.5; P=.02). Conclusions: VR HIIT significantly enhances physiological parameters while maintaining intrinsic motivation, making it a viable alternative to traditional HICT. However, the short-term nature of this study is a limitation, and future research should explore the long-term engagement and therapeutic impacts of VR exercise in diverse and clinical populations. 
SN  - 2291-9279
UR  - https://games.jmir.org/2025/1/e63461
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2196/63461
DO  - 10.2196/63461
ID  - info:doi/10.2196/63461
ER  -