Exercise in virtual reality with a muscular avatar influences performance on a weightlifting exercise

Abstract

Virtual Reality (VR) technology can be used to influence performance on endurance exercises. In this study, we focused on manipulating perception of own-body strength by exercising in VR as a muscular avatar. In this repeated-measure study, twenty-nine participants performed biceps curl exercise in a maximum repetitions protocol, up to exhaustion. The exercise was done either in VR as a muscular avatar, or without VR, in front of the mirror. Dependent variables were the number of exercise repetitions and self-reported exertion. We also controlled blood glucose level, perceived weight of the barbell and level of embodiment. Participants performed significantly more biceps curl repetitions in the VR condition (Z = -2.05, p < .05) with an effect size of d = 0.36. The self-reported effort did not differ significantly between conditions. The results of this study may have an applied significance since number of exercise repetitions is an ecologically valid measure, directly relevant to real training protocols.

Beyond my Real Body: Characterization, Impacts, Applications and Perspectives of “Dissimilar” Avatars in Virtual Reality

“…The sense of embodiment is usually subdivided in to three sub-components, the senses of self-location, agency and ownership. These perceptual elements have been found to impact the user experience in diverse ways, such as the feeling of being present in the VE [100], the perception of the environment [11], behaviors inside and outside the VE [23,98], task performances [5,25] or cognitive load [73]. Hence, we present here a discussion based on previous results reported in the literature for different avatar's dissimilarity types, regarding the sense of embodiment.…”

“…For example, Yee and Bailenson found that being embodied in a taller avatar can alter the user's confidence in a negotiation task, and that the avatar attractiveness could alter intimate behaviors [122]. Among others, it was also shown that being embodied inside an avatar seen as creative improved ideas' fluency and originality inside and outside the VE [37]; that an opposite gender's avatar could alter gender-stereotypical beliefs about one's own personality [108], and that being presented with a more muscular avatar could increase the number of repetitions in a weightlifting exercise [23]. Peck et al also found that the Proteus effect could be used to alleviate stereotype threats [86], a phenomenon wherein one feels at risk to confirm a stereotype about her/his social group, which might lead to cognitive underperformance [106].…”

Auswirkungen der visuellen Flussgeschwindigkeit auf das Radfahrerlebnis in der virtuellen Realität

“…A muscular avatar coincided with lower heart rates and perceived effort compared to medium or nonathletic avatars. Similarly, participants completed more repetitions in a weightlifting exercise when embodying a muscular avatar in VR than when exercising in front of a mirror (Czub & Janeta, 2021). These effects may be explained by the theory of the minimal self (Gallagher, 2000), which consists of a sense of body ownership and a sense of agency.…”

“…However, these findings refer to passive movement and may not apply to loco-motion. Once again, existing research focuses on avatar configuration (Czub & Janeta, 2021;Kocur et al, 2021;Kocur, Kloss, Schwind, Wolff, & Henze, 2020).…”

Desktop vs. Headset: A Comparative Study of User Experience and Engagement for Flexibility Exercise in Virtual Reality

“…In strength training, researchers have investigated the use of VR for resistance exercises, such as weightlifting [34], and found that VR can provide a more varied and engaging workout experience and also provide real-time feedback on form and technique, which can help individuals avoid injury and optimize their performance [35]. Balance training using VR technology has also been investigated, with studies examining the effects of VR on postural stability and proprioception [36][37][38][39][40].…”