Virtual reality exercise platforms and the possibility for novel, engaging research in sport, exercise and health

The COVID-19 pandemic led to unprecedented closures of research laboratories worldwide, including those of sport and exercise science. This situation presented significant challenges for athletes, training for their sport (Washif et al., 2022), and for researchers in conducting experiments reliant on clinical and human laboratory-based testing (Sohrabi et al., 2021). However, sport practice as well as sport science research did not completely cease over that period. It certainly slowed, yet innovation occurred, presenting opportunities and leading to some intriguing new possibilities. Our ingenious community of researchers and sports practitioners utilised alternative methods to continue their research and sports activities outside the conventional laboratory (Stenson et al., 2022). One of these alternative methods has been the use of virtual reality (VR) software technology coupled with exercise equipment such as a cycle ergometer as a means of connecting individuals remotely, and in some cases, to conduct empirical research that might otherwise have been conducted in a laboratory (Matta et al., 2022).