Virtual reality and sports performance: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials exploring balance
IntroductionOur systematic literature review aimed to select randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which virtual reality (VR) has been used in athletes or players to evaluate the effectiveness of this technology in gaining performance.MethodsIn accordance with PRISMA guidelines, a systematic litera...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1497161/full |
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| author | Ida Cariati Roberto Bonanni Pierangelo Cifelli Giovanna D'Arcangelo Giovanna D'Arcangelo Elvira Padua Giuseppe Annino Giuseppe Annino Virginia Tancredi Virginia Tancredi |
| author_facet | Ida Cariati Roberto Bonanni Pierangelo Cifelli Giovanna D'Arcangelo Giovanna D'Arcangelo Elvira Padua Giuseppe Annino Giuseppe Annino Virginia Tancredi Virginia Tancredi |
| author_sort | Ida Cariati |
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| description | IntroductionOur systematic literature review aimed to select randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which virtual reality (VR) has been used in athletes or players to evaluate the effectiveness of this technology in gaining performance.MethodsIn accordance with PRISMA guidelines, a systematic literature search was conducted in the MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science databases using the keyword set [(Virtual reality) OR (VR)] AND [(Athletes) OR (Players)] AND [(Performance) OR (Balance)]. Peer-reviewed articles published within the last ten years in English and open access were included. The methodological quality of the articles was assessed using the Jadad scale, while the eligibility criteria were evaluated using the PICOS approach.ResultsSpecifically, six RCTs were selected, one of which scored 5/5 on the Jadad scale, four scored 3/5 and one scored 2/5. Importantly, five RCTs found a positive influence of VR on performance in terms of balance, stability, sprinting, jumping, neurocognitive function, reaction time and technical skills, while only one RCT found no difference in these parameters.DiscussionIn conclusion, the results included in our systematic review showed that VR seems to have a positive effect in improving sports performance. However, the heterogeneity of the studies did not allow for a comparison of the data to clarify the relevance of VR technology in performance, suggesting the need for in-depth investigations to confirm its efficacy in sports. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5cf5c7a70d4a4483aba712e849b7d8ac |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2624-9367 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living |
| spelling | doaj-art-5cf5c7a70d4a4483aba712e849b7d8ac2025-08-20T02:29:30ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sports and Active Living2624-93672025-04-01710.3389/fspor.2025.14971611497161Virtual reality and sports performance: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials exploring balanceIda Cariati0Roberto Bonanni1Pierangelo Cifelli2Giovanna D'Arcangelo3Giovanna D'Arcangelo4Elvira Padua5Giuseppe Annino6Giuseppe Annino7Virginia Tancredi8Virginia Tancredi9Department of Systems Medicine, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, ItalyDepartment of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, ItalyDepartment of Systems Medicine, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome, Rome, ItalyCentre of Space Bio-Medicine, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Human Sciences and Promotion of Quality of Life, San Raffaele Telematic University of Rome, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Systems Medicine, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome, Rome, ItalyCentre of Space Bio-Medicine, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Systems Medicine, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome, Rome, ItalyCentre of Space Bio-Medicine, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome, Rome, ItalyIntroductionOur systematic literature review aimed to select randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which virtual reality (VR) has been used in athletes or players to evaluate the effectiveness of this technology in gaining performance.MethodsIn accordance with PRISMA guidelines, a systematic literature search was conducted in the MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science databases using the keyword set [(Virtual reality) OR (VR)] AND [(Athletes) OR (Players)] AND [(Performance) OR (Balance)]. Peer-reviewed articles published within the last ten years in English and open access were included. The methodological quality of the articles was assessed using the Jadad scale, while the eligibility criteria were evaluated using the PICOS approach.ResultsSpecifically, six RCTs were selected, one of which scored 5/5 on the Jadad scale, four scored 3/5 and one scored 2/5. Importantly, five RCTs found a positive influence of VR on performance in terms of balance, stability, sprinting, jumping, neurocognitive function, reaction time and technical skills, while only one RCT found no difference in these parameters.DiscussionIn conclusion, the results included in our systematic review showed that VR seems to have a positive effect in improving sports performance. However, the heterogeneity of the studies did not allow for a comparison of the data to clarify the relevance of VR technology in performance, suggesting the need for in-depth investigations to confirm its efficacy in sports.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1497161/fullvirtual realitysport performancebalanceathletesplayerstraining |
| spellingShingle | Ida Cariati Roberto Bonanni Pierangelo Cifelli Giovanna D'Arcangelo Giovanna D'Arcangelo Elvira Padua Giuseppe Annino Giuseppe Annino Virginia Tancredi Virginia Tancredi Virtual reality and sports performance: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials exploring balance Frontiers in Sports and Active Living virtual reality sport performance balance athletes players training |
| title | Virtual reality and sports performance: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials exploring balance |
| title_full | Virtual reality and sports performance: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials exploring balance |
| title_fullStr | Virtual reality and sports performance: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials exploring balance |
| title_full_unstemmed | Virtual reality and sports performance: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials exploring balance |
| title_short | Virtual reality and sports performance: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials exploring balance |
| title_sort | virtual reality and sports performance a systematic review of randomized controlled trials exploring balance |
| topic | virtual reality sport performance balance athletes players training |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1497161/full |
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