The 20th century brought a dynamic development of new technologies, including virtual reality (VR). VR is an artificial image generated by IT technologies. It is most often associated with entertainment, but has a much wider application in other fields. The aim of the study is to assess the influence of the application of immersive virtual reality during an exercise capacity test on a bicycle ergometer.
Scientists suggests that there are four types of virtual reality: immersive virtual reality, desktop virtual reality (i.e., low-cost homebrew virtual reality), projection virtual reality, and simulation virtual reality. The sense of presence or immersion is a critical feature distinguishing virtual reality from other types of computer applications. It seems interesting whether immersion in virtual reality can influence the assessment of exercise capacity. The aim of the study is to assess the influence of the application of immersive virtual reality during an exercise capacity test on a bicycle ergometer. It is assumed that an exercise capacity test on a cycloergometer will be performed in a traditional form and in a virtual reality.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
70
Patients will be assessed by symptom-limited maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) following a 25W, tree-minute stage, beginning at 25W (healthy volunteers will start the test with a load of 50W). For both sexes and arms, participants will be instructed during the test to remain at the frequency between 60 to 80 rotations per minute (rpm). Heart rate (HR) will be continuously recorded using a monitor Polar H10.
Patients will be assessed by symptom-limited maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) following a 25W, tree-minute stage, beginning at 25W (healthy volunteers will start the test with a load of 50W). For both sexes and arms, participants will be instructed during the test to remain at the frequency between 60 to 80 rotations per minute (rpm).Heart rate (HR) will be continuously recorded using a monitor Polar H10. VR HTC Vive Pro goggles along with VR health care (aerobic exercise) VR Cycling software will be used for stimulation throughout the duration of the test. The HTC Vive Tracker device will be also use to link images in virtual reality with the pedal speed.
Institute of Physiotherapy, Department of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Opole University of Technology
Opole, Poland
Exercise Testing- cycle ergometer
The exercise test on an electronically-braked cycle ergometer (Lode Excalibur Sport PFM) was used for evaluation. Test began with a unloaded cycling for 3 minutes, then 50W for 3 minutes followed by an incremental phase in which work rate increased by 25 watts every 3 minutes. Heart rate (HR) was continuously recorded. These submaximal tests were terminated when the subjects reached 85% of the age-predicted maximal HR (calculated as 220 - age)
Time frame: First or second day of the assessment - the traditional exercise test
HRV
The Polar H10 monitor (Polar Electro Oy Inc., Kempele, Finland) was employed to record heart rate series at a sampling frequency of 1000 Hz. All HRV analyses were carried out with the Kubios HRV Premium version 3.3.1 (HRV analysis, University of Eastern Finland). The R-R interval series were filtered with the artifact correction algorithm which was set at the automatic mode. Time- and frequency-domain HRV parameters were analyzed.
Time frame: First or second day of the assessment - the exercise test in VR
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