Virtual Reality Use Improves Perceptual Response Relative To Heart Rate During High-intensity Exercise

Borg rating of perceived exertion (RPE) correlates with heart rate (HR) during a range of exercise intensities. External stimuli (i.e. music) can alter this relationship, eliciting a lower RPE than would be suggested by one’s HR. Experiencing less perceptual strain at a given work rate is a potential advantage during exercise, as continued activity may be encouraged. The effect of virtual reality (VR) programs on the relationship between RPE and HR has received little attention. PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of VR application during exercise on the perceptual response relative to HR. METHODS: Healthy adults (N = 19; 9 m/10f; age = 21.9 ± 5.6 years, BMI = 23.96 ± 4.75 kg/m2) completed two maximal effort 1500 m time trials on a rowing ergometer under two conditions: a control condition (CON) with no VR use; and a VR condition (VR) during which a head-mounted VR device was worn and an immersive exercise application was experienced. The two time trials were completed in a randomized and counterbalanced order, separated by at least 3 days. RPE and instantaneous HR were collected every 300 m. The relationship between HR and RPE was described by computing the ratio between HR and RPE (RATIO) at each distance point in each condition. A higher RATIO value indicates a lower RPE for a given HR. (i.e. less perceptual strain for an objective physiological strain). RATIO differences were analyzed using a 2x5 (condition: CON and VR; distance: 300 m, 600 m, 900 m, 1200 m, and 1500 m) repeated-measures ANOVA in SPSS version 29, α = 0.05 with Bonferroni adjustments if necessary. RESULTS: There was a significant interaction effect of condition and distance on RATIO (F1.7. 20.4 = 5.2, p = 0.015, η2 = 0.225). RATIO was higher in VR than CON at 300 m (12.46 ± 3.28 vs. 10.55 ± 2.96, p = 0.022, d = 0.57). There were no other significant differences in RATIO between matched distance points (p ≥ 0.053 for all). CONCLUSION: Use of immersive VR during a maximal-effort time trial exercise favorably modified the relationship between HR and RPE. Perceptual strain (RPE) was lower for a given objective physiological response (HR) as a result of VR use, but only during the initial portion of the time trial. The effect of VR on RPE may only be present until exertion is sufficiently high, as described by the load dependent theory of effort perception. Supported by: Access to the virtual reality program Holofit was provided by the company Holodia.