<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Virtual reality (VR) is a tool used in sports to train specific situations under standardized conditions. However, it remains unclear whether improved performances from VR training can be transferred into real world (RW). Therefore, the current study compares beginner training of balance beam tasks in VR (simulated balance beam height, n = 17) with similar training in RW (n = 15). Both groups completed 12 training sessions (each 20 min) within six weeks in their respective environment. The training aimed to learn the one leg full turn on a balance beam with a height of 120 cm. Criteria were defined to analyze the movement quality before and after the intervention. Statistical analyses showed similar improvements in movement quality in RW for both training groups after the intervention (p &lt; .05). These results indicate that the skills adapted in VR could be transferred into RW and that the VR training was as effective as the RW training in improving the movement quality of balance beam elements. Thereby, VR provides the advantages of a reduced risk of injury due to a simulated beam height, a faster beam height adjustment, and spacial independence from specific gyms.</p>
</abstract>

Virtual reality (VR) is a tool used in sports to train specific situations under standardized conditions. However, it remains unclear whether improved performances from VR training can be transferred into real world (RW). Therefore, the current study compares beginner training of balance beam tasks in VR (simulated balance beam height, n = 17) with similar training in RW (n = 15). Both groups completed 12 training sessions (each 20 min) within six weeks in their respective environment. The training aimed to learn the one leg full turn on a balance beam with a height of 120 cm. Criteria were defined to analyze the movement quality before and after the intervention. Statistical analyses showed similar improvements in movement quality in RW for both training groups after the intervention (p < .05). These results indicate that the skills adapted in VR could be transferred into RW and that the VR training was as effective as the RW training in improving the movement quality of balance beam elements. Thereby, VR provides the advantages of a reduced risk of injury due to a simulated beam height, a faster beam height adjustment, and spacial independence from specific gyms.

The Impact of Virtual Reality Training on Learning Gymnastic Elements on a Balance Beam with Simulated Height

Department of Sports Engineering and Movement Science

Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Institute III: Sport Science

International Journal of Computer Science in Sport

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Virtual reality (VR) is a tool used in sports to train specific situations under standardized conditions. However, it remains unclear whether improved...

The Impact of Virtual Reality Training on Learning Gymnastic Elements on a Balance Beam with Simulated Height

Published Online: Nov 17, 2022

Page range: 93 - 110

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ijcss-2022-0005

Keywords
VIRTUAL REALITY, SIMULATED HEIGHT, MOTOR LEARNING, GYMNASTICS, TRAINING TRANSFER

© 2022 D. Bürger et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The Impact of Virtual Reality Training on Learning Gymnastic Elements on a Balance Beam with Simulated Height

Published Online: Nov 17, 2022

Page range: 93 - 110

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ijcss-2022-0005

KeywordsVIRTUAL REALITY, SIMULATED HEIGHT, MOTOR LEARNING, GYMNASTICS, TRAINING TRANSFER

© 2022 D. Bürger et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
VIRTUAL REALITY, SIMULATED HEIGHT, MOTOR LEARNING, GYMNASTICS, TRAINING TRANSFER