Virtual Reality High-Intensity Interval Training Exergaming Compared to Traditional High-Intensity Circuit Training Among Medical Students: Pilot Crossover Study

Pietro Merola; Marcos Barros Cardoso; Gabriel Barreto; Matheus Carvalho Chagas; Luana Farias Oliveira Saunders; Bryan Saunders; Danilo Cortozi Berton

doi:10.2196/63461

Virtual Reality High-Intensity Interval Training Exergaming Compared to Traditional High-Intensity Circuit Training Among Medical Students: Pilot Crossover Study

JMIR Serious Games. 2025 Jan 7:13:e63461. doi: 10.2196/63461.

Authors

Pietro Merola^{1

2

3}, Marcos Barros Cardoso⁴, Gabriel Barreto⁵, Matheus Carvalho Chagas^{1

6}, Luana Farias Oliveira Saunders⁵, Bryan Saunders^{5

7

8}, Danilo Cortozi Berton^{2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Move Sapiens, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
² Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
³ Postgraduate Program in Pulmonary Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
⁴ Medical School, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
⁵ Applied Physiology and Nutrition Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
⁶ Biomedical Engineering, Federal University of ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil.
⁷ Center of Lifestyle Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
⁸ Applied Physiology and Nutrition Research Group, School of Physical Education and Sport and Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

PMID: 39773879
DOI: 10.2196/63461

Abstract

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.

Keywords: physical activity; VR; exercise; exercise motivation; exergame; heart rate; high-intensity interval training; virtual reality.

© Pietro Merola, Marcos Barros Cardoso, Gabriel Barreto, Matheus Carvalho Chagas, Luana Farias Oliveira Saunders, Bryan Saunders, Danilo Cortozi Berton. Originally published in JMIR Serious Games (https://games.jmir.orghttps://games.jmir.org).