Effects of Virtual Reality and Traditional Exercise on Cognitive and Physical Performance in Sedentary Adults

NCT07567144 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: RTEU-VR-EX-2024-0102026004016266
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 33
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aimed to compare the effects of virtual reality (VR)-based exercise and traditional exercise methods on selected physiological and cognitive parameters in sedentary individuals. Sedentary lifestyles are increasingly associated with reduced physical fitness and impaired cognitive performance, including decreased concentration, slower reaction time, and reduced flexibility. While traditional exercise programs are effective, their long-term adherence may be limited due to low motivation. Virtual reality-based exercise has emerged as an innovative approach that combines physical activity with interactive and engaging environments, potentially enhancing both motivation and cognitive engagement. Therefore, this study investigated whether VR-based exercise provides additional benefits compared to traditional exercise. A total of 33 sedentary adults were randomly assigned to three groups: a VR exercise group, a traditional exercise group, and a control group. The intervention groups participated in structured exercise programs three times per week for eight weeks, while the control group maintained their usual lifestyle without exercise intervention. Outcome measures included concentration, reaction time (hand and foot), balance, and flexibility, assessed before and after the intervention. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to understanding whether VR-based exercise can be used as an effective alternative to traditional exercise methods for improving both cognitive and physical performance in sedentary populations.

Conditions

Sedentary Behaviors; Physical Inactivity

Keywords

Sedentary Behavior; Physical Inactivity; Cognitive Function; Motor Performance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Concentration Level Measured by EEG (NeuroSky Mobile Brainwave Sensor)

  Concentration performance will be assessed using an EEG-based NeuroSky Mobile Brainwave Sensor. Participants will be asked to focus on a fixed object for 3 minutes, and attention levels will be recorded. The outcome will be expressed as the change in concentration score from baseline to post-intervention.

  After 8 weeks of exercise intervention

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Change in Reaction Time (Hand and Foot) Measured by Light Trainer System

  After 8 weeks of exercise intervention

• Change in Balance Performance Assessed by Togu Challenge Disc

  After 8 weeks of exercise intervention

• Change in Flexibility Measured by Sit-and-Reach Test

  After 8 weeks of exercise intervention

Study Arms (3)

Traditional Exercise Training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this arm performed a structured traditional exercise program for 8 weeks, 3 days per week. The program included aerobic, strength, balance, and flexibility exercises identical in structure to the VR group but delivered in a real-world environment without virtual reality technology. Sessions included warm-up, main exercise sets, and cool-down phases under supervision.

Other: Traditional Exercise Training

Virtual Reality Exercise Training

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm performed virtual reality-based exercise training for 8 weeks, 3 days per week. Training sessions were conducted using an Oculus 3 virtual reality headset and included structured exercise programs delivered through VR applications (e.g., FitXR, Holofit, PowerBeats VR). Each session consisted of warm-up, main exercise tasks targeting aerobic capacity, balance, reaction time, and flexibility, followed by a cool-down period. All sessions were performed under standardized laboratory conditions.

Other: Virtual Reality Exercise Training

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this arm did not receive any structured exercise intervention during the 8-week study period. They continued their normal daily activities and routine lifestyle without participation in any supervised training program. No VR-based or traditional exercise sessions were administered. Pre-test and post-test measurements were conducted in the same manner as the intervention groups.

Interventions

Virtual Reality Exercise Training OTHER

Participants in this intervention arm completed a structured virtual reality-based exercise training program for 8 weeks, with sessions conducted 3 days per week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). Training sessions were performed using an Oculus 3 virtual reality headset and included interactive exercise modules delivered through VR applications (FitXR, Holofit, PowerBeats VR, and similar platforms). Each session consisted of standardized warm-up exercises, main training tasks targeting aerobic capacity, balance, reaction time, and flexibility, and a cool-down period. All sessions were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions with standardized environmental settings.

Also known as: VR Training

Virtual Reality Exercise Training

Traditional Exercise Training OTHER

Participants in this intervention arm completed a structured traditional exercise training program for 8 weeks, with sessions conducted 3 days per week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). The training protocol consisted of the same exercise components as the VR group, including aerobic, strength, balance, and flexibility exercises, but performed in a real-world environment without virtual reality technology. Each session included standardized warm-up exercises, main exercise sets (such as squats, lunges, jumping, reaction drills, balance tasks, and flexibility exercises), and a cool-down period. All sessions were supervised and conducted under controlled laboratory conditions with standardized environmental settings.

Also known as: Traditional Training

Traditional Exercise Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Participants were selected from among individuals aged 18 and over who had not experienced any serious physical or psychological problems in the past 6 months, did not exercise regularly, did not regularly use alcohol or tobacco, and volunteered for the program.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Recep Tayyip Erdogan University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Recep Tayyip Erdogan University

Rize, 53100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sedentary Behavior

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Officials

• Halil İ Çakır, Asst. Prof. Dr.

  Recep Tayyip Erdogan University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: MSc

Model Details: This study utilized an experimental research model from quantitative research models. The experimental model was implemented as a design including pre-test and post-test applications. Experimental research aims to test the effects of differences created by the researcher on the dependent variable. The main purpose of experimental design is to determine the cause-and-effect relationship between variables. In this design, groups were formed as experimental and control groups through random assignment. Accordingly, experimental and control groups were formed using the purposive sampling method in this study. The dependent variables of the research were considered as concentration, reaction, balance, and flexibility. The independent variables were determined as virtual reality training and traditional training. The study was conducted according to virtual reality and traditional training protocols prepared for 8 weeks.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 21, 2026
• First Posted: May 5, 2026
• Study Start: January 5, 2026
• Primary Completion: January 15, 2026
• Study Completion: April 1, 2026
• Last Updated: May 5, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)