Titel
Does Time Fly in VR?: The Impact of Physical Activity and Age on Time Perception
AutorInnen
Misok, D., Ross, C., Valentin, M.
Abstract
Previous studies have suggested differences in time perception between younger and older adults and that contextual variables can influence the accu- racy of time perception. Some research has shown a greater susceptibility to these context effects in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. To further explore these effects, this study examined the influence of physical activity and age on time perception in VR, additionally testing cognitive processing speed as a potential mediating variable. Twenty participants (aged 20-79 years) were asked to estimate the duration of two tasks in the VR game Kayak: Mirage. Each participant completed both an active condition, in which they navigated a kayak in VR using a makeshift paddle with controllers, and a passive condition, in which the kayak moved automatically through the VR environment. Time perception was assessed using two methods: (1) Continuous Time Estimation on a numerical continuum and (2) Free Input in an open response field without predefined constraints. Contrary to prior assumptions, results revealed no sig- nificant differences in time perception between active and passive condition or between younger and older participants. As no significant effects were found, cognitive processing speed could not serve as a mediator. These findings indi- cate that time perception in VR remains relatively stable across different age groups and activity levels. However, further research with larger and age-bal- anced samples is needed to confirm these results.
Schlagworte
Aging, Time perception, Virtual Reality