Virtual Reality Exercise with Autonomy Support Increases Positive Affect During Time Trial Exercise

<i><b>Background:</b></i> Being able to choose elements of an exercise session, known as autonomy support, improves motor performance and psychological responses. Virtual reality (VR) programs provide many options for embedding autonomy support in exercise sessions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of autonomy support in a VR setting on physiological and psychological responses to self-regulated rowing exercise. <i><b>Methods:</b></i> Using a repeated-measures crossover design, healthy untrained men and women (<i>N</i> = 20, age = 23.0 ± 7.4) completed exercise sessions on a rowing ergometer coupled with a head-mounted immersive VR application. In the Choice condition, participants chose the virtual environment, and in the Control condition, the environment was assigned to the participant. Participants were instructed to complete 1500 m as quickly as possible in both conditions, while ratings of perceived exertion, affective valence, and heart rate were recorded throughout the trials. Finishing time and remembered pleasure were assessed at the end of each session. Repeated-measures analyses with an alpha level of 0.05 were used for all variables as appropriate, with Bonferroni adjustments applied for any post hoc tests. <i><b>Results:</b></i> There was a main effect of condition on affective valence which was higher in Choice (2.07 ± 1.67) than Control (1.64 ± 2.12, <i>P</i> = 0.03, <i>η</i>² = 0.22). No other differences were detected between conditions for finishing time or the remaining variables. <i><b>Conclusion:</b></i> During self-regulated exercise accompanied by an immersive VR application, being able to choose the virtual environment oneself leads to a more positive affective state without compromising exercise effort, physiological strain, or performance.