Background: Despite the benefits of physical activity (PA), Italy ranks low in leisure-time PA among European countries. Integrating virtual (VR)/enhanced (ER) reality with exercise equipment could boost PA engagement. Limited studies have explored how VR/ER-integrated cycling activity, compared to outdoor settings, influences PA among university students. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the acute effects of a brief cycling session outdoors and indoors on psychological and physiological outcomes, and secondly, investigate the potential of VR/ER-mediated nature experiences as a tool to promote green exercise. Methods: In February 2024, thirty-one subjects (20 M and 11 F; age 24.3 ± 3.2 years; BMI 23.5 ± 3.6 kg/m²) were involved in this randomized crossover-controlled trial, where they were assigned to three different conditions: ER cycling (ERC), VR cycling (VRC), and outdoor cycling (OUTC). Heart rate (HR), Physical Activity Enjoyment (PACE), Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI), and Intention to Perform Green Exercise (INT-GE) were assessed at the end of each condition. Results: The OUTC condition showed significantly greater PACE, IMI, and INT-GE than ERC/VRC (p < 0.001), lower HR_mean than ERC/VRC (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively), and lower HRmax than ERC (p < 0.05). Conclusions: VRC and ERC enhanced engagement and physiological responses during indoor cycling, but outdoor cycling offered superior benefits in motivation, enjoyment, and future engagement intentions. No significant differences were found between VRC and ERC in promoting intentions for outdoor activities, suggesting both technologies could be equally effective.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a 5-week virtual reality training protocol on static and dynamic balance and flexibility compared to a traditional training protocol in healthy adult females. Methods: Twenty-one healthy female adults (age, 49.81 ± 2.99 years) were randomly assigned into three groups: Virtual Reality (VR; n = 7) that performed a 5-week exergame training protocol; Traditional Training (TR; n = 7) that performed a specific training protocol on balance, and lower limbs and abdominal strength; and waitlist control group (CG; n = 7) that continued their daily activities without any type of structured physical activity. Static balance was assessed by the ellipse area and statokinesigram parameters (Romberg test, in the open-eye (OE) and closed-eye (CE)), dynamic balance by the star excursion balance test on the right and left leg, and flexibility by the sit and reach test. Results: After the intervention, VR and TR groups showed a significant improvement in static and dynamic balance and flexibility (all p < 0.001) compared to the CG. Compared to TR, the VR training protocol showed greater effect sizes and was more effective in percentage terms on all measured variables, particularly for Sit and Reach (82% vs. 35%), except the OE Area (42% vs. 49%). Conclusions: Findings suggest that both a 5-week VR training protocol and a 5-week TR protocol may significantly improve static and dynamic balance and flexibility in healthy female adults. The VR training protocol showed a greater effect size compared to the TR training protocol, although it was not statistically significant. Future randomized controlled studies with a larger sample size and longer training protocols are needed to confirm this finding.