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Virtual reality and technology-driven ‘exergaming’ have grown in tandem to expand the possibilities of exercise. However, few studies have investigated these aspects together in the context of treadmill walking. This study examined the effects of immersive virtual reality (IVR) on heart rate (HR) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) while walking on a treadmill at three different speeds, only one of which was disclosed to participants. Using a single-blinded, randomized control trial with a crossover research design, sixteen college-aged adults (eight females, mean age of 20.5 ± 1.2 years) were randomly assigned a testing order for six trials of treadmill walking. Three 10 min trials were conducted with IVR and three were conducted without on two separate days; a 3 min break was given in between trials. Borg RPE scores were assessed after each trial, while HR was monitored throughout. The IVR trials produced lower mean RPE scores in comparison to the non-IVR group at 3.5 and 3.7 mph. The IVR trials also yielded a lower mean HR compared to the non-IVR trials at the highest speed of 3.7 mph. These findings suggest that IVR may be able to attenuate RPE scores and HR while walking on a treadmill.

While there has been a recent onslaught of traditional lab-based fitness measures in immersive virtual reality (IVR) exergaming research, there remains a paucity in the field-based fitness domain, which refers to assessments made outside a formal laboratory setting which are easier, cheaper, and have more practical application. This study aimed to assess changes in field-based fitness tests including the 1-mile run, 20-m dash, multiple single-leg hop-stabilization test, Abalakov jump, and 5-10-5 Pro Agility test during a 1-month workout protocol and to compare differences between groups assigned to either an IVR machine-directed exergaming platform or a traditional, self-directed cable-resistance training control (SELF). Eighteen (7 females) college-aged participants with little resistance training experience were randomized to IVR or SELF and worked out thrice weekly for 4 weeks (12 sessions). Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were performed for continuous variables to assess significance. Compared to SELF, the IVR group had significantly better performance improvements in 20 m dash (−0.1s vs. 0.0s, p = 0.022), 5-10-5 Pro Agility Test (−0.1s vs. −0.0s, p = 0.003), Abalakov Jump (5.8 cm vs. 2.0 cm, p = 0.0013), 1-Mile Run (−11.0s vs. −2.0s, p = 0.008), and Multiple Single-Leg Hop-Stabilization Test with their dominant (−9.0s vs. 1.0s, p = 0.0015) and non-dominant (−8.0s vs. 1.0s, p = 0.003) legs. This training study demonstrates that IVR exergaming, more so than those that traditionally resistance train (SELF), can improve many field-based fitness components including agility, balance and stability, speed/acceleration, cardiovascular endurance, and lower-body power.