As a PhD researcher myself, I know first-hand how much work goes into a research project. So where possible, I like to help out other researchers as a participant or lab rat.

In the past, I’ve been a research participant for the Education, Psychology and Health Sciences Departments.

My most recent foray was an invitation to be a research participant for Nicole T’s School of Applied Psychology PhD research project, which is looking at how Virtual Reality impacts cycling performance – wicked!

I was interested in this project, not only because of the cycling, but also for the VR component of this project. I have previously worked with other educational VR, AR and fully immersive experiences, but never with cycling, so I was keen to see what this simulator was like.

Effect of Virtual Reality on Cycling Performance- Lab Rat Experience

So, this time, I went to Griffith’s Gold Coast Campus, got suited up, completed a battery of psych questionnaires before and after riding a stationary bike – and got amongst it!

Why is the research being conducted?

Nicole’s research examines the effect of the presence of the competitor in a virtual environment during a stationary cycling task. The possible performance benefits of using feedback within a virtual reality environment was the primary focus. Female participants only for this project.

After I had completed my full session, Nicole let me know more of what she was really looking for – oohhhhh! Of course, she could not let me know all the details prior, as it may have skewed my (or any other potential participants) involvement and data results. In order to maintain the project’s integrity, I’ll only give approved general info about the project here as well.

What I was asked to do

I was in the  VR lab for 90 minutes, during which I did heaps, like:

Answered demographic questions, had my height and weight measured and I completed the Sports Medicine in Australia pre-exercise screening system.

Then, Nicole hooked me up to heart rate and respiratory rate monitor. She instructed me on how to use the stationary bicycle and appropriate technique – and I undertook a practice trail to become familiar with the exercise and the VR environment

Next, I jumped on the bike and had to cycle to the best of my ability to assess the intensity level (which was defined as 70 revolutions per minute while maintaining 70% heart rate reserve or until 30 minutes had elapsed.

During the cycling task, I had to continually respond verbally to a Rating of the Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale every three minutes.

I also had to complete quite a few psych questionnaires, including:

• International Physical Activity Questionnaire
• Long form (IPAQ-LF)
• Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS)
• Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PAES)
• Exercise Thoughts Questionnaire (ETQ)
• Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI)
• Feedback Rating, Self-control Questionnaire
• GRIT inventory
• Self-efficacy Questionnaire
• Revisited Competitiveness Index (RCI)
• Reality Judgement and Presence Questionnaire

So how was it?

I had great fun and did the best I could.

I took the project seriously and answered all questions honestly.

I laughed at myself because, even though I was in the lab, I still indicated turns with my arms each and every time I turned (I must have looked hilarious to Nicole, who was watching me on the screen in the lab next door).

At times I found myself bracing in anticipation when approaching uneven surfaces and cobble stones.

The simulation was basic but detailed enough to create an alternative environment. It had some good details in it like normal everyday urban  encounters that had corresponding noises (pedestrians walking down the street and as I passed them, I heard the music they had playing, dogs barking, bird songs, etc).

The cycling part was no problem and I enjoyed using the VR simulation, which required me to ride around a fictitious city.

I giggled at some of the shops and department store names – they had been modified (branding) to have a very similar logo to some well known big brands, but the name was slightly different (McDowell’s anyone?) It totally reminded me of Coming to America!

At times, the VR was a little weird as it was based on an American context and had a few odd aspects for Australians (like cars parked on the wrong side of the road).

I was not totally sold on that particular program – but then again, it was not designed to be ‘enjoyable’, totally immersive or as a cycling training tool. I never really ‘left’ the lab I was in to ‘enter’ the simulation. But, it was for research purposes, not a fully immersive VR  expereince – and so fulfilled its role.

After we were finished, Nicole was able to give me some feedback about my performance, some of which I found surprising …. sorry – no details on this, as the project is ongoing!

Overall, I was glad to have the VR experience and get some personalised biodata on my cycling performance as well as being able to support Nicole in her research.

If you get an opportunity to use a VR cycling simulator – give it a try for something different!

And best of luck to Nicole for her research!