The individual and combined effectiveness of virtual reality and interval Nordic walking on the cardiorespiratory hemodynamic and central adiposity among internet addiction adolescents

Physical Inactivity caused by internet addiction (IA) in adolescents is one of the world’s most serious health issues and technology-based intervention and exercise training methods are being developed to control it. This study sought to examine the potential influences of 2- and 4-week-virtual-reality (VR) training program with/without interval Nordic walking (INW) on hemodynamical-cardiorespiratory and central adiposity indices among internet-addicted adolescents. A randomized controlled trial design was conducted among 150 individuals randomly assigned to VR, INW, VR + INW, and control groups regarding sexes. In every specific group, participants performed one of three exercise protocols (i.e., VR, INW, and VR + INW) of three 60-minute sessions/week for 2 and/or 4 weeks, except for control group. The measurements were conducted at different phases (i.e., the baseline, 2- and 4-week-protocol interventions). Following VR and INW training protocols, a significant increase and decrease were detected in VO2max and MVO2 respectively, especially among girls (p < 0.001). BAI values showed significant improvements (p < 0.01), especially in the VR-boy group following 4 weeks of intervention (p < 0.001). The VR with INW training protocols has potential benefits for health status and could be considered an important non-pharmacologic strategy to prevent sedentary and maintain wellness in adolescents