Publication date: Dec 15, 2025
Physical inactivity is a major public health issue among college students, often exacerbated by academic pressures and lifestyle shifts. Traditional exercise interventions often face challenges with adherence due to low motivation and engagement. Immersive virtual reality (VR)-based exercise interventions may address these barriers by providing interactive and motivating experiences, yet empirical evidence regarding their psychological and physiological benefits remains scarce. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a 4-week immersive VR-based exercise intervention on psychological and physiological health outcomes in college students. A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 36 college students randomized into either a VR exercise group (n=17, 47%) or a no-intervention control group (n=19, 53%). Participants in the VR group engaged in immersive VR cycling sessions (two 60-minute sessions weekly) using the VirZoom VR system, while the control group continued their normal routines. Psychological outcomes were assessed during preintervention and postintervention assessments, including exercise motivation (Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-2), mood states (Brunel Mood Scale), and depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory). Physiological outcomes assessed were cardiovascular fitness (3-Minute Step Test) and body composition (bioelectrical impedance analysis). We used a 2-way repeated measures ANOVA to analyze the effects of the intervention. Significant timecD7group interactions indicated enhanced intrinsic motivation (P=. 02; η=0. 25); improved mood states with increased vigor (P=. 01; η=0. 18); and decreased confusion (P=. 01; η=0. 17), fatigue (P=. 02; η=0. 16), and tension (P=. 003; η=0. 24) in the VR group. Depressive symptoms were also significantly reduced (P=. 03; η=0. 14). Physiological outcomes showed significant improvements in the VR group, including decreased body fat percentage (P
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| Concepts | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Bioelectrical | body composition |
| Cycling | cardiovascular fitness |
| Depressive | depression |
| Students | health |
| Weekly | mood |
| motivation |
Semantics
| Type | Source | Name |
|---|---|---|
| disease | MESH | face |
| disease | MESH | confusion |
| disease | MESH | fatigue |