Exercising with virtual reality is potentially better for the working memory and positive mood than cycling alone

IF 2.3 3区医学 Q2 PSYCHIATRY

Mental Health and Physical Activity Pub Date : 2024-10-01 DOI:10.1016/j.mhpa.2024.100641

Genta Ochi , Ken Ohno , Ryuta Kuwamizu , Koya Yamashiro , Tomomi Fujimoto , Koyuki Ikarashi , Naoki Kodama , Hideaki Onishi , Daisuke Sato

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background and aims

Although virtual reality (VR) exercise has attracted attention as a factor in exercise habituation due to its mood-enhancing effects, its impact on brain function remains unclear. This study aimed to explore how VR exercise affects working memory, a key executive function, and its underlying neural mechanisms.

Methods

The study involved 23 healthy university students who engaged in exercise in a VR environment. Outcomes included cardiorespiratory and psychological assessments, as well as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Results

Our findings indicate that a 10-min VR exercise session improved mood (vitality level) and working memory task performance (3-back task) more effectively than exercise or rest alone. Furthermore, the results confirmed that increased vitality from both exercise and VR exercise interventions was associated with improved 3-back task performance. However, specific brain regions contributing to this enhancement remain unidentified.

Conclusion

These results highlight VR exercise as an optimal exercise program for enhancing working memory function by increasing vitality levels. These insights underscore the potential of VR as a novel exercise modality, with benefits extending beyond exercise adherence to potentially prevent dementia and depression.

查看原文本刊更多论文

与单独骑自行车相比，利用虚拟现实技术进行锻炼可能更有利于工作记忆和积极情绪的形成

背景和目的虽然虚拟现实（VR）运动因其增强情绪的效果而作为运动习惯的一个因素引起了人们的关注，但它对大脑功能的影响仍不清楚。本研究旨在探讨 VR 运动如何影响工作记忆（一种关键的执行功能）及其潜在的神经机制。结果我们的研究结果表明，与单独运动或休息相比，10 分钟的 VR 运动能更有效地改善情绪（活力水平）和工作记忆任务表现（3-back 任务）。此外，研究结果还证实，运动和 VR 运动干预所带来的活力提升与 3 向后任务表现的改善有关。这些结果突出表明，VR 运动是通过提高活力水平来增强工作记忆功能的最佳运动项目。这些见解强调了 VR 作为一种新型锻炼方式的潜力，其益处不仅限于坚持锻炼，还可能预防痴呆症和抑郁症。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Mental Health and Physical Activity PSYCHIATRY-

CiteScore

6.70

自引率

6.40%

发文量

审稿时长

32 days

期刊介绍： The aims of Mental Health and Physical Activity will be: (1) to foster the inter-disciplinary development and understanding of the mental health and physical activity field; (2) to develop research designs and methods to advance our understanding; (3) to promote the publication of high quality research on the effects of physical activity (interventions and a single session) on a wide range of dimensions of mental health and psychological well-being (eg, depression, anxiety and stress responses, mood, cognitive functioning and neurological disorders, such as dementia, self-esteem and related constructs, psychological aspects of quality of life among people with physical and mental illness, sleep, addictive disorders, eating disorders), from both efficacy and effectiveness trials;