VR-Hiking: Physical Exertion Benefits Mindfulness and Positive Emotions in Virtual Reality
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Published:2023-09-11
Issue:MHCI
Volume:7
Page:1-17
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ISSN:2573-0142
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Container-title:Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction
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language:en
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Short-container-title:Proc. ACM Hum.-Comput. Interact.
Author:
Haliburton Luke1ORCID,
Pirker Benedikt1ORCID,
Holinski Paolo1ORCID,
Schmidt Albrecht1ORCID,
Wozniak Pawel W.2ORCID,
Hoppe Matthias1ORCID
Affiliation:
1. LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
2. Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
Abstract
Exploring the great outdoors offers physical and mental health benefits. Hiking is healthy, provides a sense of accomplishment, and offers an opportunity to relax. However, a nature trip is not always possible, and there is a lack of evidence showing how these beneficial experiences can be replicated in Virtual Reality (VR). In response, we recruited (N=24) participants to explore a virtual mountain landscape in a within-subjects study with different levels of exertion: walking, using a chairlift, and teleporting. We found that physical exertion when walking produced significantly more positive emotions and mindfulness than other conditions. Our research shows that physically demanding outdoor activities in VR can be beneficial for the user and that the achievement of hiking up a virtual mountain on a treadmill positively impacts wellbeing. We demonstrate how physical exertion can be used to add mindfulness and positive affect to VR experiences and discuss consequences for VR designers.
Funder
Bavarian Research Alliance
European Union?s Horizon 2020 Programme
Publisher
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Subject
Computer Networks and Communications,Human-Computer Interaction,Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
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