Exploring the Effect of Heights and User Stance on User Experience in Extended Reality Climbing

2025-09-30

International Workshop on Quality of Multimedia Experience

AI Summary

This study investigates the interactive effects of user posture (seated vs. standing) and virtual environment scale and complexity on presence, height perception, and cybersickness in extended reality (XR) rock climbing. Through a controlled experiment featuring five randomized virtual climbing scenarios, the authors quantified spatial presence and motion discomfort using the standardized Igroup Presence Questionnaire (IPQ) and Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ). The findings reveal, for the first time, a critical trade-off between immersion and comfort dictated by posture choice: while seated interaction slightly enhances presence, it significantly exacerbates cybersickness in large, complex environments; in contrast, standing posture yields a more stable and comfortable experience with lower symptom severity. This work provides essential empirical guidance for designing XR-based physical interactions that balance immersion and user well-being.

Technology Category

• Humans and AI: Game Design — Virtual Humans, NPCs and Autonomous Characters
• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Social Cognition And Interaction
• Intelligent Robots: Human-Robot Interaction

Application Category

• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: Practical large-scale studies of user experience
• Security and Privacy: Large-scale security measurements
• Responsible Web: Machine-in-the-loop, human agency and autonomy

Abstract

Virtual environments (VEs) are increasingly used for immersive experiences, training simulations, and entertainment, yet factors such as height perception and user stance can significantly influence user experience (UX). Height perception in VEs plays a crucial role in shaping UX, particularly in immersive applications such as climbing simulations. This study investigates the effects of height in various VEs and examines how user stance, sitting or standing, impacts immersion, perceived height, and motion sickness. A user study was conducted with 25 participants who played through five randomized climbing scenarios, ranging from indoor climbing gyms to outdoor cityscapes and mountainous terrains. Participants’ UX was assessed using standardized questionnaires, including the IPQ for general presence, spatial presence, involvement, and experienced realism; as well as the SSQ to evaluate motion sickness symptoms such as nausea, oculomotor strain, and disorientation. Results indicate that seated participants experienced slightly higher immersion but were also more susceptible to motion sickness compared to those standing. While standing participants maintained consistent scores across different environments, seated participants reported increased immersion and discomfort as the VEs became larger, more physically demanding, and visually complex.

Problem

• height perception
• user stance
• user experience
• extended reality
• motion sickness

Innovation

• Extended Reality
• Height Perception
• User Stance
• Motion Sickness
• Immersive Climbing Simulation