Sustainable fitness through virtual reality: how my use of virtual reality helped lead to a healthier lifestyle

Abstract

As a junior doctor in my fourth year of radiology training, work plays an outsized role in my life—and there never seem to be enough hours in the day to complete all my tasks. For a long time, I survived on oven pizza and regularly skipped exercise, lacking the time, energy, motivation—or often all three. Over 4 years of specialisation, I had fallen into a routine where engaging in physical activity was a luxury, leading to my becoming unfit and, subsequently gaining nearly 10 kg. I know I’m not alone in this struggle.1 Since COVID-19 20% of adults and 80% of adolescents worldwide are reported to be physically inactive, despite the widely known benefits that physical activity brings.2 This is especially concerning given that young adulthood is when many of our lifelong habits are formed, with these habits becoming increasingly difficult to change later on.1 The reasons for this lack of activity are numerous, including social influences, values, negative attitudes towards physical activity.2 However, one major factor is simply a lack of motivation due to physical activity being seen as boring and hard work.2 Subsequently, rates of being overweight or obese among young adults like myself have been rising steadily over the past 50 years.1 Like 83% of workers in the USA and many in other Western countries, my job involves sitting in front of a computer with little need for physical activity.3 This sedentary lifestyle is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, among other health problems.4 Furthermore, people are less likely to engage in physical activity after a long day of work, further compounding the problem.2 To justify …