The Use of Virtual Reality to Alter Physical Activity by Targeting the Built Environment

Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a novel approach to research built environmental determinants of physical activity for its ability to address issues of causality, which have historically plagued the discipline. The purpose of this narrative review is to identify the methods by which VR technology has been adapted for use within the research area.

Current built environmental VR research examining physical activity overwhelmingly targets walking and cycling. Despite spanning few types of PA, we observe diverse VR methodologies and patterns of applications within research areas. In this review, we explore how capabilities of current VR technology, specifically simulation development and travel, have shaped research questions, validity, and generalizability. We identify future innovations that may address these limitations. Finally, we encourage future research applying this powerful research tool to investigations of built environmental factors promoting types of physical activity apart from walking and cycling.