Virtual Reality Exergaming and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Young Adults: A PRISMA-Based Systematic Review

Abstrak

Background: Virtual reality (VR)–based exercise has emerged as an innovative approach to promote physical activity and improve cardiorespiratory fitness. Its immersive and interactive nature may enhance exercise engagement and adherence, particularly among young adults.

Objective: This systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence on the effects of VR-based exercise interventions on physiological and cardiorespiratory fitness outcomes.

Methods: This review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A comprehensive search was performed across PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar using relevant keywords related to VR, exergaming, and cardiorespiratory fitness. A total of 205 records were identified, with an additional five records from other sources. After screening and eligibility assessment, 39 studies were included in the initial qualitative synthesis. Of these, 19 primary studies reporting physiological outcomes were included in the final analysis. Data extraction and narrative synthesis were conducted, and methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool for randomized controlled trials and a structured appraisal approach for non-randomized studies.

Results: The included studies demonstrated that VR-based exercise can elicit moderate-intensity cardiovascular responses and improve outcomes such as VO₂max, VO₂peak, heart rate, and functional capacity. Several randomized controlled trials reported improvements comparable to conventional exercise interventions. In addition, VR-based exercise was associated with higher levels of enjoyment, motivation, and adherence.

Conclusion: VR-based exercise represents a promising strategy for improving cardiorespiratory fitness and promoting physical activity. However, further high-quality studies with standardized protocols are needed to strengthen the evidence base and support clinical implementation.