Zoom into Fitness: Can Virtual Reality Games Make You a Super Mover!

Hey there!

Imagine stepping into a magical world where you can run, jump, and dance with friendly robots or jungle animals—all while getting fit! That’s what virtual reality (VR) games can do. At Primary Fitness Games, we’re exploring if VR can be the future of kids’ fitness.

Let’s dive into this awesome adventure and see what science says!

What Is Virtual Reality?

Virtual reality is like a magic helmet (called a VR headset) that takes you to a pretend world. You can play games where you move your body to dodge obstacles or chase treasures! A study by Höysniemi and friends in 2005 found that kids as young as 6 can use their hands and feet to play these games, just like waving at a friend or hopping like a bunny. It’s super fun because you feel like you’re really there!

Fun Fact: In VR, you can visit a pretend jungle or even outer space without leaving your room!

How Does VR Help You Move?

VR games make moving your body exciting! A 2023 study in the "Journal of Human Kinetics" showed that VR games can help kids like you get better at running, jumping, and balancing. They also make you more active, which is great for your heart and muscles.

Another study from 2020 found that kids think VR games are so cool, they want to play more and move more—sometimes without even noticing they’re exercising!

Plus, a ScienceDirect study in 2023 discovered that VR games helped kids with special needs improve their moving skills by a big score of 11.3 points. That means VR can help all kinds of kids become super movers, whether you’re zooming fast or learning new tricks!

Is VR Safe for Kids?

VR is fun, but we need to be careful. A 2024 study in the European Journal of Pediatrics found that some kids feel a little dizzy when using VR, kind of like spinning around too fast. But don’t worry—this feeling goes away when you stop playing, and it’s not a big problem. To stay safe, always play with a grown-up nearby, take breaks every 10 to 12 minutes, and stop if you feel funny.

Here, at the Primary Fitness Games, we think that, even though  VR can be an option for a given fun/playful moment, there is nothing like doing sport outdoors. 

Doing sport outdoors offers numerous physical, mental, and cognitive benefits that often exceed those of indoor exercise. The combination of physical activity and exposure to nature provides a powerful boost to overall well-being. 

Physical Health Benefits:

• Improved Cardiovascular Health and Fitness: Outdoor activities like running or cycling on varied terrain challenge your body more dynamically than a treadmill, improving endurance, balance, coordination, and strength.
• Increased Vitamin D Synthesis: Exposure to sunlight prompts your body to produce vitamin D, which is essential for strong bones, immune function, and mood regulation.
• Better Oxygenation and Fresh Air: Exercising outdoors generally allows you to breathe cleaner, oxygen-rich air, which can enhance lung function, increase energy levels, and improve brain function.
• Higher Calorie Burn: Factors like wind resistance, uneven ground, and varied landscapes require your muscles to work harder, leading to increased calorie expenditure.
• Better Sleep: Regular exposure to natural light helps regulate your body's circadian rhythm (sleep-wake cycle), leading to improved sleep quality. 

Mental and Emotional Benefits:

• Reduced Stress and Anxiety: Spending time in nature significantly lowers levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and increases feelings of revitalization and positive engagement. The calming sights and sounds of the natural world provide mental relaxation and an escape from daily stressors.
• Enhanced Mood and Self-Esteem: Physical activity in a green environment stimulates the release of endorphins and serotonin, neurotransmitters that induce feelings of happiness, boost self-esteem, and can help alleviate symptoms of depression.
• Increased Motivation and Enjoyment: The changing scenery and unpredictable nature of outdoor environments can make workouts more interesting and less monotonous, often leading people to exercise for longer periods without feeling as fatigued.
• Improved Memory and Focus: Studies suggest that exercising outdoors can enhance cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and mental clarity more effectively than indoor activities, potentially due to the brain processing information differently in a natural setting. 

Social and Practical Benefits:

• Social Interaction: Parks, trails, and outdoor sports provide opportunities to exercise with friends, join groups, meet new people, and strengthen social bonds.
• Cost-Effective: Many outdoor exercise options, such as public parks, running trails, and community fields, are completely free and accessible, eliminating the cost of a gym membership.
• Variety and New Experiences: The outdoors offers a wide range of activities and terrains (hiking, mountain biking, water sports, team games/sports) that can break the routine of indoor workouts and allow you to try new challenges. 

Try It Out!

Want to be a VR fitness hero? Ask a grown-up to help you try a VR game where you can dance, jump, or run in a magical world. 

Sources

• Höysniemi, J., et al. (2005). "Children’s intuitive gestures in vision-based action games." Communications of the ACM, 48(1), 44–50. Available at: https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/1039539.1039568
• Journal of Human Kinetics* (2023). Scoping review on extended reality exercise.
  European Journal of Pediatrics* (2024). Safety of virtual reality use in children.
  ScienceDirect (2023). Study on VR exergaming for kids with developmental disabilities.
  PMC (2020). Study on VR games for obese children. 8(3), 267-273.
• Tomporowski, P. D., Davis, C. L., Miller, P. H., & Naglieri, J. A. (2008). Exercise and children's cognition: The role of exercise characteristics. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 40(7), 1275-1282.