They claim that using a virtual reality headset has many more benefits than exercising in the gym

The virtual reality is here to stay, and it not only allows us to immerse ourselves in different entertainment experiences, but it could also help us do more exercise and lose weight.

And it is that several studies have indicated that exercising in virtual reality is better than going to the gym in reality, and this is because technology can help us exercise for longer, feel less pain or reduce the desire to eat later The exercise.

As pointed out David Neuman from Griffith University in Australia, “the psychological benefits of exercising in virtual reality are due to the fact that it diverts attention from the body towards the virtual environment”. Add that “less time is spent thinking about fatigue and sore muscles”.

“The novelty of the environment or its realism can serve to distract people from what can make the exercise unpleasant”, points to daily mail.

On the other hand, if we go back to a study published in the Journal of Human Sport and Exercise in 2020, researchers at the State University of New York investigated the effects of virtual reality on heart rate.

To do this they recruited 29 students to ride a stationary bike for six minutes at a brisk pace, and then again but while wearing a reality headset. virtual.

Their heart rate was then recorded in the sixth minute of each ride using an Apple Watch and they rated their body sensations and satisfaction on five-minute scales.

They found that the students had a higher heart rate while riding their bikes and wearing the virtual reality headsets, suggesting they burned more calories.

On the other hand, 62% of the participants agreed that they could exercise more for longer with the VR headset on.

It also reduces the desire to eat

In another study, this time published in appetiteit was found that the participants wanted to eat less after training with virtual reality glasses.

For this, researchers from the University of Bristol recruited 34 adults to complete two sessions on a bicycle for a time that would lead them to burn 120 kcal.

In one session the participants completed the journey while playing a VR mini-game and in the other session they did not use the headset.

During their training, their heart rate and energy expenditure were measured with a FitBit watch.

Once they were done, the participants rated their enjoyment, perceived physical exertion, level of sensation, and appetite.

And finally they were presented with a buffet of food and told to eat until they felt comfortably full. Interestingly, the participants ate less food at the buffet after the VR training.

Thus, according to the findings, the technology of virtual reality could be used as a tool in weight management programs and even as a tool in a gym.