EFFECTIVENESS OF VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT EXERCISES ON PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE

Background: Virtual environment exercises are becoming more and more popular. Virtual environment activities, which are used for different purposes in many areas, are quite new in the field of sports and need study findings. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 8 weeks of virtual reality (VR) and field-based fitness exercises on the performance characteristics of young individuals. Methods: Thirty participants, with an average age of 19.7 +/- 1.3 years and who had not previously engaged in fitness exercises, volunteered for the study. The participants were randomly assigned to either a fitness exercise group or a virtual exercise group. Measurements of height, weight, static balance, flexibility, sit-up, plank performance, standing long jump, and leg strength were taken before and after the intervention. The data were analyzed via analysis software. Results: The findings of the study revealed that all the values of the measured performance characteristics changed significantly in comparison with those in the preintervention phase. A comparison of these variables revealed that, in comparison with the VR group, participants exposed to fitness training improved their flexibility, long jump, BMI and leg press. On the other hand, the VR group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in balance performance than did the fitness group. Conclusions: Based on these findings, VR-based exercise interventions may be more effective than traditional fitness training in improving balance, whereas traditional fitness training appears superior for leg strength, flexibility, and long jump performance.