Active virtual reality gaming to promote physical activity and improve mental health in young men

Abstract

This thesis explored various aspects of how to engage sedentary young men in physical activity (PA) to improve mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic using a mixed-methods research approach. Three phases of mixed methods research were undertaken. Quantitative methods were used for an online survey (Phase One, n = 232) to explore the health behaviours and mental health of young adults in tertiary education in Australia and a randomised controlled trial (Phase Two, n = 30) examining the feasibility of an active virtual reality gaming (AVRG) intervention for increasing PA and improving mental health in young men with mild to moderate depressive symptoms. Qualitative methods, using descriptive content analysis, were used for extended responses collected in a post-trial qualitative survey (Phase Three, n = 9) to provide additional context to the randomised controlled trial results about participants’ preferences, continued PA behaviours and experience during the trial. The first research question sought to evaluate the mental health status, lifestyle behaviours, health beliefs, perceived barriers and PA preferences of young adults in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The second research question explored the feasibility of an AVRG intervention on PA and physical and mental health in a population of previously physically inactive young men with mild to moderate depressive symptoms (Phase Two). The third research question examined the role of preferences, barriers, and experience in an AVRG intervention on adopting a lifestyle habit to increase PA in young men (Phase Three). The content analysis of the qualitative survey revealed that although the data collection procedure unique to the trial may have presented some barriers to PA adherence in some cases, participants greatly enjoyed the AVRG, most intended to continue and were interested in a wider variety of games and increased social options. In addition, several participants reported a flow-on effect, from the increase in pa to an increase in other healthy lifestyle behaviours, including stopping smoking and choosing healthy foods. AVRG was demonstrated to be a feasible intervention to increase PA and improve mental health in physically active young men affected by mild to moderate depression. This thesis adds novel evidence and increased understanding to the established body of research on PA and mental health by addressing low motivation, poor adherence and challenges of changing health behaviour among those with low mood.

Date of Award	2023
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Western Sydney University
Supervisor	Mike Armour (Supervisor)