Virtual Reality Fitness (VRF) for Behavior Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mediation Analysis Approach

Jingning Yang; Rashid Menhas; Jianhui Dai; Tehmina Younas; Usama Anwar; Waseem Iqbal; Rizwan Ahmed Laar; Muhammad Muddasar Saeed

doi:10.2147/PRBM.S350666

Virtual Reality Fitness (VRF) for Behavior Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mediation Analysis Approach

Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2022 Jan 20:15:171-182. doi: 10.2147/PRBM.S350666. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Jingning Yang¹, Rashid Menhas², Jianhui Dai¹, Tehmina Younas³, Usama Anwar⁴, Waseem Iqbal⁴, Rizwan Ahmed Laar⁵, Muhammad Muddasar Saeed⁶

Affiliations

¹ School of Physical Education, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.
² Research Center of Sports Social Sciences, School of Physical Education and Sports, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.
³ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Social Security Hospital Gujrat, Punjab, Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
⁴ School of Energy, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.
⁵ College of Physical Education, Hubei Normal University, Huangshi, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China.
⁶ International Education College Chinese and Western Medicine Clinic, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China.

Abstract

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, cellphone health apps and virtual reality fitness for treating neurological disorders such as Parkinson's were beneficial. Virtual reality has been used to treat PTSD, depression, anxieties, dementia, ADHD, dyslexia, and pain control in various settings. Virtual reality exercise has been studied for its effects on biological, mental, rehabilitation, behavior, and attitude management.

Purpose: This research aimed to find out the role of virtual reality fitness (VRF) for behavior management during the COVID-19 pandemic concerning the demographic characteristics of the study participants and the use of fitness and health apps.

Methods: The population for the current study was Chinese residents across China who were in home isolation during the early pandemic in China. According to the study objective, a convenience sampling method was used to collect the primary data through an online survey. SPSS-25 statistical software was used to analyze the demographic information and clean and prepare the data to test all proposed hypotheses. The proposed research framework was examined using the structural equation modeling (SEM) approach through SmartPLS 3.0 software.

Results: The structural equation model analysis shows that all the proposed hypotheses (H1: β = 0.137, t = 10.454, p = <0.000; H2: β = 0.256, t = 16.824, p = <0.000; H3: β = 0.418, t = 27.827, p = <0.000; H4: β = 0.133, t = 8.913, p = <0.000; H5: β = 0.076, t = 4.717, p = <0.000; H6: β = 0.162, t = 10.532, p = <0.000; H7: β = 0.384, t = 26.645, p = <0.000) are confirmed.

Conclusion: Fitness and health apps with virtual reality fitness play a substantial role in improving the overall quality of life and positively influencing behavior and attitude.

Keywords: COVID-19; behavior and attitude; demographic status; fitness and health apps; virtual reality fitness.

Grants and funding

This paper belongs to the project “Study on residents’ Participation in Sports Activities in Kunshan City.” The project funding number is AS10601020; 2019–2021.