Psychology Research and Behavior Management (Jan 2022)

Virtual Reality Fitness (VRF) for Behavior Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mediation Analysis Approach

  • Yang J,
  • Menhas R,
  • Dai J,
  • Younas T,
  • Anwar U,
  • Iqbal W,
  • Ahmed Laar R,
  • Muddasar Saeed M

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 15
pp. 171 – 182

Abstract

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Jingning Yang,1 Rashid Menhas,2 Jianhui Dai,1 Tehmina Younas,3 Usama Anwar,4 Waseem Iqbal,4 Rizwan Ahmed Laar,5 Muhammad Muddasar Saeed6 1School of Physical Education, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China; 2Research Center of Sports Social Sciences, School of Physical Education and Sports, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Social Security Hospital Gujrat, Punjab, Islamic Republic of Pakistan; 4School of Energy, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China; 5College of Physical Education, Hubei Normal University, Huangshi, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China; 6International Education College Chinese and Western Medicine Clinic, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning Province, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Rashid MenhasResearch Center of Sports Social Sciences, School of Physical Education and Sports, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail [email protected] DaiSchool of Physical Education and Sports, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail [email protected]: During the COVID-19 pandemic, cellphone health apps and virtual reality fitness for treating neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s were beneficial. Virtual reality has been used to treat PTSD, depression, anxieties, dementia, ADHD, dyslexia, and pain control in various settings. Virtual reality exercise has been studied for its effects on biological, mental, rehabilitation, behavior, and attitude management.Purpose: This research aimed to find out the role of virtual reality fitness (VRF) for behavior management during the COVID-19 pandemic concerning the demographic characteristics of the study participants and the use of fitness and health apps.Methods: The population for the current study was Chinese residents across China who were in home isolation during the early pandemic in China. According to the study objective, a convenience sampling method was used to collect the primary data through an online survey. SPSS-25 statistical software was used to analyze the demographic information and clean and prepare the data to test all proposed hypotheses. The proposed research framework was examined using the structural equation modeling (SEM) approach through SmartPLS 3.0 software.Results: The structural equation model analysis shows that all the proposed hypotheses (H1: β = 0.137, t = 10.454, p = < 0.000; H2: β = 0.256, t = 16.824, p = < 0.000; H3: β = 0.418, t = 27.827, p = < 0.000; H4: β = 0.133, t = 8.913, p = < 0.000; H5: β = 0.076, t = 4.717, p = < 0.000; H6: β = 0.162, t = 10.532, p = < 0.000; H7: β = 0.384, t = 26.645, p = < 0.000) are confirmed.Conclusion: Fitness and health apps with virtual reality fitness play a substantial role in improving the overall quality of life and positively influencing behavior and attitude.Keywords: COVID-19, virtual reality fitness, demographic status, fitness and health apps, behavior and attitude

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