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Comparison of Metabolic and Pulmonary Variables Between Real-Life and Mixed Reality Pickleball
Setareh Zarei1, Matahn Blank1, Jamaal Bovell1
1Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, University of Nevada (Las Vegas), Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA.
Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
|September 22, 2025
Summary
Playing pickleball in real life (IRL) leads to higher physiological responses like heart rate and energy expenditure compared to mixed reality (MR). This suggests MR may offer a less strenuous alternative for training and potentially reduce injury risk.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Human Physiology
- Virtual Reality Technology
Background:
- Pickleball and virtual reality (VR) are rapidly growing.
- Physiological responses in VR vs. real-life (IRL) pickleball are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare physiological responses during IRL vs. mixed reality (MR) pickleball.
- Investigate differences in heart rate, metabolic, and pulmonary measures.
Main Methods:
- Eleven adults participated in simulated pickleball for 5 minutes IRL and 5 minutes in MR.
- Measured: heart rate (HR), ventilation (VE), tidal volume (VT), respiratory frequency (Rf), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), fat/carbohydrate utilization, energy expenditure (EE), and VO2.
- Paired t-tests and effect size calculations were used for analysis.
Main Results:
- Most metabolic and pulmonary variables were significantly higher during IRL play compared to MR.
- Effect sizes for these differences ranged from medium to large.
- Fat utilization (FAT%) was the only variable not significantly higher in IRL play.
Conclusions:
- Playing pickleball IRL elicits greater physiological exertion than MR.
- MR pickleball demands less energy and substrate use, potentially aiding in training and injury reduction.
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