A systematic review of the application of interactive virtual reality to sport
David L. Neumann, Robyn L. Moffitt, Patrick R. Thomas, Kylie Loveday, David P. Watling, Chantal L. Lombard, Simona Antonova, Michael A. Tremeer
Interactive Virtual Reality (VR) is revolutionizing the landscape of sports training, offering athletes unprecedented opportunities to enhance their performance through immersive experiences. The systematic review by Neumann et al. (2018) highlights the significant role of VR in enhancing both performance and psychological outcomes among athletes. As they state, "VR technology is being increasingly used by athletes, coaches, and other sport-related professionals," signifying a paradigm shift in how sports training is approached (p. 184).
Key Points:
Enhanced Performance Outcomes: The systematic review highlights that interactive VR applications have significantly improved various performance, physiological, and psychological outcomes for athletes. This demonstrates the comprehensive benefits of VR in sports training.
Importance of Interactivity: The core strength of VR lies in its ability to create interactive environments that foster engagement and motivation. “An important feature of VR is that the individual can interact with the environment,” which is crucial for skill acquisition and strategy development in competitive settings (Neumann et al., p.184).
Current Limitations and Future Directions: While VR has mainly been utilized in endurance sports like running and cycling, there is a recognized gap in research regarding skill-based sports. The authors advocate for further exploration: “More research is required to examine the use of interactive VR in skill-based sports (p.195),” suggesting an exciting avenue for future studies and applications.
Implications for sprinters:
VR technology continues to evolve, its accessibility and affordability will empower athletes at all levels to utilize these tools in their training regimens, creating a new era of sports performance enhancement. VR in sports not only redefines how athletes train but also promises a future where technology and sport come together to unlock the full potential of human performance.
Integrating VR into sprint training can revolutionize athletes' approaches to performance. By simulating competitive environments and allowing interactions with virtual partners, sprinters can gain invaluable insights, refine their techniques, and cultivate a competitive edge. Embracing VR can ultimately elevate their training, ensuring they reach peak performance.
Neumann, D.L., Moffitt, R.L., Thomas, P.R. et al. A systematic review of the application of interactive virtual reality to sport. Virtual Reality 22, 183–198 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-017-0320-5