Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026
Exergaming in Older People Living with HIV Improves Balance, Mobility and Ameliorates Some Aspects of Frailty
Published on: October 6, 2016
Virtual Reality Exercise Alleviates Postprandial Vascular and Metabolic Impairment in Adolescents With Congenital
Hyun Jeong Kim1, Tae Gu Choi1, Ho Jeong Min1
1Department of Sport Science, University of Seoul, Seoul, Korea.
Background And Objectives:
Adolescents with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at increased cardiovascular risk, exacerbated by high-fat meals (HFMs) and sedentary behavior. While exercise is recommended to mitigate this risk, adherence can be challenging. Virtual reality (VR) exergaming has emerged as a potentially motivating alternative. This study examined whether a single session of VR exergaming could attenuate vascular and metabolic impairment induced by an HFM and prolonged sitting in adolescents with CHD.
Methods:
In a randomized crossover design, 10 adolescents with CHD (mean age, 12.6±3.3 years) completed 2 trials after an HFM with 4 hours of sitting: (1) 30 minutes of VR cycling, and (2) uninterrupted sitting. Vascular and metabolic markers were assessed at baseline and 4 hours, including flow-mediated dilation (FMD), augmentation index (AIx), carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, blood pressure (BP), glucose, lipids, and triglyceride-glucose index (TyG).
Results:
FMD was preserved in the VR trial and decreased in the sitting trial, with a significant interaction (p=0.008). Systolic BP showed a significant interaction (p=0.022), with reductions observed only after VR exercise. AIx was significantly lower in the VR trial compared with sitting (p=0.002), but no interaction was observed. The postprandial increase in TyG index was attenuated in the VR trial (interaction p=0.040).
Conclusions:
A single session of VR exergaming attenuated vascular and metabolic impairment induced by an HFM and prolonged sitting in adolescents with CHD. These findings suggest that VR exergaming may serve as an alternative to traditional exercise for vascular health in CHD.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
01:26Imaging Studies III: Gastrointestinal Motility Studies and Virtual Colonoscopy
Radionuclide Testing
Radionuclide testing is a sophisticated medical technique for assessing gastrointestinal motility. It focuses on gastric emptying and colonic transit time. Radioactive markers track the movement of food through the digestive system, providing insights into gastrointestinal disorders.
In gastric emptying studies, a meal's liquid and solid...
01:26Exercise Stress Test
Exercise stress testing, commonly known as a treadmill test, is a noninvasive procedure used to evaluate cardiovascular function and diagnose heart conditions.
Definition
An exercise stress test measures the heart's response to exertion using a treadmill or stationary bicycle. Chest electrodes record the heart's electrical activity through an ECG, and blood pressure is monitored regularly.
Purposes