Comparing the Cognitive and Physiological Effects of Traditional and Virtual Reality Exercise in Overweight/Obese Adults: A Pilot Study

Authors

Emma Kelsey, University of Northern Iowa
Greta Ness, University of Northern Iowa
Grayce Bjugan, University of Northern Iowa
Darci Wiseman, University of Northern Iowa
Terence Moriarty, University of Northern Iowa

Comments

First published in Sci, v8 i1 published by MDPI. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/sci8010007

Document Type

Article

Publication Version

Published Version

Keywords

fNIRS, oxygenation, prefrontal cortex, virtual reality

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Sci

Volume

8

Issue

1

First Page

1

Last Page

12

Abstract

Research suggests that overweight/obese adults (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²) have an elevated risk of cognitive decline. Although exercise is recommended to improve both physical and cognitive health, adherence is often low in this population. Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging strategy that may enhance exercise engagement. This pilot study compared the effects of traditional (TRAD) cycling and VR-based exercise on cognitive performance and prefrontal cortex (PFC) oxygenation (O2Hb). Eleven adults (M = 6, F = 5; BMI: 31.1 ± 2.8 kg/m²; VO2max: 30.4 ± 5.7 mL/kg/min) completed a VO2max test and two 16 min moderate-intensity cycling sessions (TRAD, VR) on separate days, each followed by a Stroop task (four rounds of 30 trials). Exercise intensity did not differ between conditions (TRAD: %HRmax 73.9 ± 4.2, RPE 12.9 ± 1.5, BLa⁻ 2.5 ± 1.3; VR: %HRmax 74.0 ± 5.6, RPE 12.7 ± 1.4, BLa⁻ 2.7 ± 1.7). Stroop accuracy was similar between conditions; however, response time was faster post-TRAD in round two (p = 0.005) and round three (p = 0.004). No significant differences in PFC O2Hb were observed. These preliminary results suggest that both TRAD cycling and VR-based exercise are feasible modes of moderate-intensity exercise in overweight/obese adults, with largely comparable post-exercise cognitive outcomes. Larger, counterbalanced studies are warranted.

Department

Department of Kinesiology and Athletic Training

Original Publication Date

1-6-2026

Object Description

1 PDF File

DOI of published version

10.3390/sci8010007

Repository

UNI ScholarWorks, Rod Library, University of Northern Iowa

Copyright

©2026 The Author(s)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

Recommended Citation

Kelsey, Emma; Ness, Greta; Bjugan, Grayce; Wiseman, Darci; and Moriarty, Terence, "Comparing the Cognitive and Physiological Effects of Traditional and Virtual Reality Exercise in Overweight/Obese Adults: A Pilot Study" (2026). Faculty Publications. 6926.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/facpub/6926