Ready, Steady, Go: professionally designed virtual reality physical training sessions during the COVID-19 pandemic

This article analyses a study conducted as part of the VR technology as a tool for remote physical education (PE-VR) project. The main objectives of the study were to thoroughly evaluate 15-minute fitness training sessions and to determine the extent of participants’ motivation to engage in such sessions in virtual reality (VR) environments. The analysis was conducted using of a qualitative data collection technique known as in-depth interviewing, which in each case was preceded by a 15-minute individual fitness training session held in reality with a professional male (subject: male) or female (subject: female) trainer, according to a predetermined plan. We recruited five participants, both male and female, who differed in their experiences of VR and in the intensity of their weekly physical activity. The results demonstrate that individuals who had already experienced VR technology were the most willing to engage in VR training sessions; those who actively participated in physical exercise and had had never experienced VR were the most reluctant. A key perceived advantage of VR training is the presence of trainers, which seemed to motivate the participants strongly. The subjects exhibited no difficulty performing exercises as they were shown by the trainers. To increase motivation to train, it is necessary to: a) explain the reasons for performing specific exercises; b) adjust the order of exercises during training sessions; and c) utilise the capabilities of VR environments. This article presents solutions that serve to enhance the attractiveness of VR fitness training.