Active Virtual Reality Games: Comparing Energy Expenditure, Game Experience, and Cybersickness to Traditional Gaming and Exercise in Youth Aged 8-12

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to (1) quantify the oxygen consumption (VO2) and heart rate (HR) of virtual reality (VR) exergaming in youth, (2) compare the physical activity intensity of VR gaming to moderate-intensity thresholds, and (3) quantify the game experience and cybersickness of VR gaming, compared with traditional gaming. Material and Methods: Youth (N = 28; age, 9.4 ± 1.2 years) completed 10-minute conditions: seated rest, seated videogame Katamari Forever (SVG-KF), treadmill walking (TW) (5.6 km/h, 0% grade), and VR exergames Beat Saber (BS) and Thrill of the Fight (TOF) while VO2 and HR were collected. Game experience and Child Simulator Sickness Questionnaires were collected after gameplay. Results: VO2 and HR for BS (9.1 ± 3.0 mL/kg/min and 119 ± 15 bpm), TW (17.1 ± 2.4 mL/kg/min and 135 ± 15 bpm), and TOF (16.9 ± 5.4 mL/kg/min and 145 ± 19 bpm) were significantly higher than that at rest (4.2 ± 1.5 mL/kg/min and 94 ± 12 bpm) and for SVG-KF (4.3 ± 1.3 mL/kg/min and 94 ± 12 bpm). BS was light-to-moderate, whereas TW and TOF were of moderate intensity based on HR and metabolic equivalents (METs). For game experience, SVG-KF (1.6 ± 1.6) was less challenging than BS (3.3 ± 1.0) and TOF (3.1 ± 1.1). BS was more visually satisfying (3.5 ± 0.7 vs 2.7 ± 0.9) and required more concentration than SVG-KF (3.6 ± 0.7 vs 3.1 ± 1.1). TOF (3.4 ± 0.8) was more fun than SVG-KF (2.8 ± 0.7). Two youths (7%) experienced cybersickness symptoms, but neither requested to stop play. Oculomotor symptoms (0.6 ± 0.9), although minimal, were significantly greater than nausea (0.2 ± 0.5) and disorientation (0.3 ± 0.6) in both games. Conclusions: VR exergames provided light- to moderate-intensity exercise, challenge, visual stimulation, attention, and fun with minimal cybersickness symptoms, compared with conventional gameplay in youth.