VR is evolving at a rapid pace, and the integration of advanced technologies like Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) is paving the way for more immersive and physically engaging experiences. One of the most exciting innovations in this space is Valkyrie EIR – the world’s first motion haptics wearable – seamlessly blending EMS with VR to create a highly immersive and interactive experience that improves muscular strength and endurance.

In collaboration with Valkyrie, our research team has recently published a paper titled “An Investigation into the Effects of Virtual Reality and Electrical Muscle Stimulation on Mood, Exertion, and Muscular Fatigue“ where we explored how the Valkyrie EIR system influences these key factors during virtual workouts. This study highlights the profound impact of combining EMS and VR on both physical and psychological aspects of exercise, providing critical insights and a foundation of scientific research into the future of VR fitness and rehabilitation.

In this article, we delve into how Valkyrie EIR is revolutionizing the VR landscape, particularly in health, fitness, and rehabilitation, and share insights from our recent research on its effects on mood, exertion, and muscular fatigue.

What is Valkyrie EIR?

At its core, Valkyrie EIR (pronounced ‘air’, a nod to the Norse goddess of healing) is a cutting-edge wearable system designed to simulate muscle resistance and physical engagement in virtual environments. By leveraging Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) technology, these bands use controlled electrical impulses to stimulate muscle contractions that mimic the sensations of real-world physical exertion, adding a whole new layer of realism to virtual exercises.

The key innovation here is the integration of EMS with VR. The EIR bands stimulate the muscles in sync with the VR actions. For example, if you’re lifting a virtual weight, the EMS will create resistance, making it feel as if you’re lifting a real object. This not only makes the virtual experience more believable but also engages your muscles for an actual muscular workout.

Historically, most VR workouts have focused on cardiovascular fitness, but Valkyrie EIR opens up a new frontier by enabling strength training in virtual reality, expanding the possibilities for VR fitness.

Health and Fitness Applications

The EIR bands pair with Valkyrie’s EIR Training VR application, which is available on Meta Quest headsets (you can try out the demo for yourself here). EIR Training is an exergame that combines full-body exercises with gamification principles to create an engaging and rewarding workout experience. Unlike traditional virtual workouts, which tend to focus on cardiovascular fitness, Valkyrie EIR introduces muscular resistance through EMS. This provides a workout that directly impacts muscular strength and endurance, with immersive VR and motivational gamification elements promoting engagement and enjoyment.

The EIR Training application combines full-body exercises with gamification principles to create an engaging, rewarding workout experience which can improve muscular strength and endurance

Why is this important?

• Realistic resistance training: Valkyrie EIR allows users to experience the sensation of resistance, enabling them to build muscular strength and endurance, much like a conventional workout in a gym setting.
• Gamification for motivation: The inclusion of game-like features—such as a scoring system —enhances user motivation and long-term engagement, making workouts feel less like a chore and more like an immersive adventure.
• Improved muscle engagement: By stimulating real muscle contractions, the Valkyrie EIR system ensures that users are not just passively interacting with VR, but actively using their muscles, contributing to improved strength and endurance over time.

As VR continues to evolve, tools like Valkyrie EIR are at the forefront of revolutionizing virtual fitness. By combining strength and endurance with VR using EMS, Valkyrie EIR not only makes workouts more immersive but also enhances physical performance, pushing the boundaries of what VR can achieve.

Valkyrie EIR and Rehabilitation

In addition to its fitness applications, Valkyrie is exploring the use of EIR bands in rehabilitation settings. For patients recovering from injuries and stroke, the controlled nature of EMS can aid in muscle reactivation and the rebuilding of strength, providing a safe, scalable, and engaging rehabilitation process.

VR rehabilitation programs using Valkyrie EIR could make recovery more interactive and enjoyable, potentially leading to better patient outcomes.

Our Research

In our recent study, we explored the physiological and psychological impacts of the Valkyrie EIR system. This research aimed to understand how the combination of VR, gamification, and EMS affects users during exercise. You can access the full journal paper here.

The study followed a within-subjects design, with 26 participants taking part in two separate sessions: one featuring a Valkyrie class with EMS, and another without. During each session, we assessed various physiological measures, such as heart rate and the delayed onset of muscular soreness (DOMS). In addition, we evaluated the psychological effects through questionnaires that gauged participants’ mood, overall experience, and rate of perceived exertion (RPE).

Our findings revealed some notable differences between the sessions with and without EMS:

• Mood enhancement: Participants reported a significant increase in mood post-exercise, with the Valkyrie classes described as both enjoyable and fun.
• Higher immersion and intensity: 88.5% of participants favoured the EMS-enhanced sessions, citing the increased immersion, intensity, and challenge.
• Greater exertion and muscular fatigue: Significant differences emerged between the EMS and non-EMS conditions, with the EMS sessions resulting in higher RPE scores, greater DOMS, and elevated heart rates.

These results demonstrate that the addition of EMS in Valkyrie EIR significantly elevates exercise intensity, providing the potential for greater muscular adaptation. Participants not only experienced a more engaging workout but also showed stronger physiological responses, suggesting that Valkyrie EIR with EMS can be an effective tool for increasing the intensity of exercise in virtual environments while boosting participant engagement.

From this research, we are excited to announce that Valkyrie EIR is now VR Healthy certified! Find out more about our certification process here.