THE IMPACT OF VIRTUAL REALITY-BASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTERVENTIONS ON HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES IN ADOLESCENTS - LITERATURE REVIEW

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5481

Keywords:

Virtual Reality, Physical Activity, Mental Health, Education, Adolescents

Abstract

This review paper analyzes the impact of physical activity within virtual reality (VR) on the mental health and educational outcomes of adolescents aged from 10 to 18 years. Literature review indetified studies that highlight topics of anxiety reduction, improved well-being and increased motivation for learning through VR. The results indicate that VR can effectively support mental health by reducing anxiety and stress symptoms and enhancing student engagement. However, limitations such as technology costs and the lack of long-term studies require further analysis. The paper highlights the potential of VR as an interdisciplinary tool in education and health promotion.

References

Racine, N., McArthur, B. A., Cooke, J. E., Eirich, R., Zhu, J., & Madigan, S. (2021). Global prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents during COVID-19: A meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.2482

McMichael, L., Farič, N., Newby, K., Potts, H. W. W., Hon, A., Smith, L., Steptoe, A., & Fisher, A. (2020). Parents of adolescents’ perspectives of physical activity, gaming and virtual reality: Qualitative study. JMIR Serious Games. https://doi.org/10.2196/14920

Makransky, G., Borre-Gude, S., & Mayer, R. (2019). Motivational and cognitive benefits of training in immersive virtual reality based on multiple assessments. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12375

World Health Organization. (2024, June 26). Physical activity fact sheet.

Zhang, Y., Kamsin, A., Tajuddin, N. A. N., & Hasan, S. I. (2025). Effectiveness of virtual reality interventions in promoting healthy eating and physical activity among children: A systematic review. Digital Health. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076251331794

Fiaschè, F., Barbetti, A. S., Di Natale, L., Cappello, S., Sarnataro, G., & Ducci, G. (2025). Virtual reality and artificial intelligence: The future of mental health. A narrative review. Recenti Progressi in Medicina. https://doi.org/10.1701/4460.44554

Zeng, W., Xu, J., Yu, J., & Chu, X. (2025). Effectiveness of virtual reality therapy in the treatment of anxiety disorders in adolescents and adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1553290

Jingili, N., Oyelere, S. S., Nyström, M. B. T., & Anyshchenko, L. (2023). A systematic review on the efficacy of virtual reality and gamification interventions for managing anxiety and depression. Frontiers in Digital Health. https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2023.1239435

Ridout, B., Kelson, J., Campbell, A., & Steinbeck, K. (2021). Effectiveness of virtual reality interventions for adolescent patients in hospital settings: Systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research. https://doi.org/10.2196/24967

World Health Organization. (2020, November 25). WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour.

Yang, X., Wu, J., Ma, Y., et al. (2025). Effectiveness of virtual reality technology interventions in improving the social skills of children and adolescents with autism: Systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research. https://doi.org/10.2196/60845

McCleery, J. P., Zitter, A., Solórzano, R., et al. (2020). Safety and feasibility of an immersive virtual reality intervention program for teaching police interaction skills to adolescents and adults with autism. Autism Research. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2352

Sal-de-Rellán, A., Hernández-Suárez, Á., & Hernaiz-Sánchez, A. (2025). Gamification and motivation in adolescents. Systematic review from physical education. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1575104

Chen, T., Ou, J., Li, G., & Luo, H. (2024). Promoting mental health in children and adolescents through digital technology: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1356554

Zhao, Y., Liu, D., Xu, D., & Li, Y. (2025). Virtual reality in adolescent mental health management under the new media communication environment. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-04528-1

Majewska, K. (2023). Young adults in virtual reality (VR). Factors contributing to VR games addiction. International Journal of Pedagogy, Innovation and New Technologies. https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0053.9390

Soriano-Pascual, M., Ferriz-Valero, A., García-Martínez, S., & Baena-Morales, S. (2022). Gamification as a pedagogical model to increase motivation and decrease disruptive behaviour in physical education. Children. https://doi.org/10.3390/children9121931

Flores-Aguilar, G., Prat-Grau, M., Fernández-Gavira, J., & Muñoz-Llerena, A. (2023). “I learned more because I became more involved”: Teacher’s and students’ voice on gamification in physical education teacher education. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043038

Piñar-Lara, M., Cortés-Pérez, I., Díaz-Fernández, Á., Montilla-Ibáñez, M. A., Sedeño-Vidal, A., & Obrero-Gaitán, E. (2024). Virtual reality-based therapy can enhance balance and muscular endurance in children and adolescents with Down syndrome: A systematic review with a meta-analysis. Bioengineering. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11111112

Tas, F. Q., van Eijk, C. A. M., Staals, L. M., Legerstee, J. S., & Dierckx, B. (2023). Virtual reality in pediatrics, effects on pain and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis update. Paediatric Anaesthesia. https://doi.org/10.1111/pan.14546

Kucharczuk, M., Sikorska, H., Juraszek, K., Wyżgowski, P., & Leksowski, K. (2020). Physical activity as one of the elements of a comprehensive obesity treatment. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. https://doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2020.10.03.016

Downloads

Published

2026-06-26

How to Cite

Szostak, P., Sidor, D., Katarzyna Gołacka, Kuźmiuk, D., Martyna Rynkowska, Sikorski, A., Sikorska, W., Maj, S., & Danio, J. (2026). THE IMPACT OF VIRTUAL REALITY-BASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTERVENTIONS ON HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES IN ADOLESCENTS - LITERATURE REVIEW. International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Social Science, 4(2(50). https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5481

Most read articles by the same author(s)