In tennis practice makes perfect this saying may be a cliché but it is true for athletes. They need repetitions if they want to be great at what they do. Some of the greatest sportsmen have given years of their life practicing to be at the level they are now, and they don’t seem to stop.
Nowadays thanks to technological advancements like virtual reality, these athletes can practice their cognitive and sensorimotor skill anytime they feel like and anywhere comfortable for them.
Virtual Reality simulations support the design of complex training protocols by mimicking real game activities, like reaction time speed to visual target (ball) in the field of view.
With the use of an immersive Virtual Reality environment, these players can improve their training programs just as they are on the court.
They can have unlimited repetitions in an environment that is as close to the real one as possible so they can be prepared for their games, matches, and tournaments.
Coaches suggested that athletes must develop a movement plan to optimize the sensory information present during skill acquisition and that this movement plan is specific to the information that is available during practice in Virtual Reality.
Virtual Reality simulations allow the athletes to gain ‘mental repetitions’ increase track performance, and introduce effects not easily replicated in real training conditions.
Creating immersive interactive environments allows experimental control to be maintained while allowing accurate manipulation of all other variables, like time and position.
Simulation training in sporting contexts helps athletes develop necessary skills that can be transferred into competition, thus improving the proficiency of skill execution, and reducing error.