The Impact of Bike-Based Controllers and Adaptive Feedback on Immersion and Enjoyment in a Virtual Reality Cycling Exergame
Jonas Keppel, Marvin D. Strauss, Shuoheng Zhang, Markus Stroehnisch, Stefan Lewin, Uwe Gruenefeld, Donald Degraen, David Goedicke, Andrii Matviienko, Stefan Schneegaß · 2025
Cycling exergames can increase enjoyment and promote high energy expenditure, making exercise more engaging and, therefore, supporting healthier lifestyles. To improve player experience in a virtual reality cycling exergame using a stationary bike, we investigated how different input and output techniques affect player engagement. We implemented a bike-based controller integrating button and shoulder-lean steering as input, combined with or without adaptive changes in bike inclination and resistance as output. The results of our study with 24 participants indicate that adaptive modes increase effort and perceived exertion. While button steering provides better pragmatic quality, shoulder-lean steering offers a more hedonic experience but requires more skill and effort. Still, this greater enjoyment fosters higher engagement, particularly when players enter a flow state where the increased physical demands become less noticeable. These findings underscore the potential of bike-based adaptive controllers to maximize player engagement and enhance VR cycling exergame experiences.