Pain can be reduced during exercise by using virtual reality ( VR ) headsets , according to researchers from the University of Kent . The research, led by PhD candidate Maria Matsangidou from EDA, set out to determine how using VR while exercising could affect performance by measuring a raft of criteria: heart rate, including pain intensity, perceived exhaustion, time to exhaustion and private body consciousness. A study found that people exercising using VR technology had a 10 % lower pain threshold than those doing conventional fitness routines . Their time to exhaustion was about two minutes longer than those not using VR , the report adds . The findings could have " major implications " for everyone , from casual gym - goers to full - time athletes , said lead researcher , Maria Matsangidou .
Pain can be reduced during exercise by using virtual reality ( VR ) headsets , according to researchers from the University of Kent . A study found that people exercising using VR technology had a 10 % lower pain threshold than those doing conventional fitness routines . Their time to exhaustion was about two minutes longer than those not using VR , the report adds . The findings could have " major implications " for everyone , from casual gym - goers to full - time athletes , said lead researcher , Maria Matsangidou .