Augmented-reality-based exercise increases salivary oxytocin

Abstract

Exercise is known to have positive effects on psychological well-being, with team sports often associated with superior mental health compared to individual sports. Augmented reality (AR) technology has the potential to convert solitary exercise into multi-person exercise. Given the role of oxytocin in mediating the psychological benefits of exercise and sports, this study aimed to investigate the impact of AR-based multi-person exercise on mood and salivary oxytocin levels. Fourteen participants underwent three distinct regimens: non-exercise (Rest), standard solitary cycling exercise (Ex), and AR-based multi-person cycling exercise (Ex+AR). In both exercise conditions (Ex and Ex+AR), participants engaged in cycling at a self-regulated pace to maintain a Rating of Perceived Exertion of 10. In the Ex+AR condition, participants avatars were projected onto a tablet screen, allowing them to cycle alongside ten other virtual avatars in an AR environment. Mood states (assessed using POMS2) and saliva samples were collected before and immediately after each 10-minute regimen. Subsequently, the levels of salivary oxytocin were measured. Participants exhibited higher cycling speeds during Ex+AR compared to Ex, despite comparable levels of self-reported fatigue between the two groups. Notably, only the Ex+AR condition significantly improved mood states associated with depression-dejection and exhibited a trend toward suppressing anger-hostility in participants. Moreover, the Ex+AR condition led to a significant elevation in salivary oxytocin levels, while the Ex condition showed a trend toward an increase. However, changes in salivary oxytocin did not show a significant correlation with changes in mood states. These findings suggest that Ex+AR enhances mood states and promotes oxytocin release. AR-based multi-person exercise may offer greater psychological benefits compared to standard solitary exercise, although the relationship between oxytocin and mood changes remains inconclusive. HighlightsO_LIExercise, especially team sports, has positive effects on mood state, and oxytocin partially supports these effects. C_LIO_LIAugmented reality (AR) technology can potentially convert standard solitary exercise into multi-person exercise. C_LIO_LIAR-based multi-person exercise (Ex+AR) significantly ameliorated depression-dejection and increased salivary oxytocin levels, but standard solitary exercise did not. C_LIO_LIEx+AR may provide more significant psychological benefits than standard solitary exercise. C_LI