Even people who’ve never really played any sports outside of PE classes understand that proper and extensive training is the key to succeeding in a competition. Athletes devote their whole lives to perfecting a few crucial moves that should give them victory. We want to assist and support these people, and we believe we can do that with virtual reality sports training. How?
Simulated environments
Virtual reality sports training provides athletes with an immersive and ultrarealistic game environment. This enables them to experience specific scenarios and situations in order to become more familiar with their sport and hone their skills. The technology allows for complete customization of the environment and even recreating real situations from previous games to analyze and train on.
One way to creatively use VR’s ability to simulate any environment or scenario is to enhance regular exercises like running and weightlifting. You can still perform the same tasks but have a headset on and gamify them, making them more engaging and easier to bare. This is the idea we used when creating a VR fitness app for one of our clients. Click here to read more about it.
Simulating realistic game scenarios, on the other hand, can help in improving mental skills and practicing specific plans. This is an excellent basis for an entirely new way of tactical training. Why draw schemes on a whiteboard when you can live them? And speaking of whiteboards, let’s get rid of them! Wouldn’t it be beneficial to visualize what coaches say in an interactive, 3D space? Virtual reality can do precisely that.
And last but not least, the safe and controlled environment of VR can simulate situations that would be too risky to reenact in real life. This can be useful for learning the correct way to react when a player is being tackled, for example.
Instant feedback
Another thing that VR experiences have to offer is instant feedback. Once players complete a task or training unit, they get immediate information about their performance. What’s worth noting is that a coach doesn’t have to be present for the player to run the training program. And they can repeat it as many times as they need to perfect their skills.
Furthermore, trainers are humans, which means they are influenced by their moods, personal preferences etc. Because of that, their feedback can oftentimes be inconsistent and biased. So why not use an application to automate the process and make it more objective?
One more advantage from a trainer’s perspective is the fact that the VR software can also save data about the athletes’ performance. This information can be automatically sent to the trainer even if they are far away. It can be later used for a detailed analysis and finding ways to improve.
Remote training opportunities
There are times when an athlete can’t attend training in person. But if the reason is something other than an injury, why lose the training session? With virtual reality sports training, you can take a standalone headset anywhere and use it anytime you need it.
Of course, some exercises will require physical devices like a treadmill. But not all. And if you’re a professional athlete, chances are you have some basic equipment at home. Nevertheless, even if you can’t complete a whole training unit, why not interactively memorize tactics or train reflexes?
Remote VR sports training software can also be used as an alternative for parts of the training that don’t require the physical presence of all team members. A coach can meet his players in a virtual space and use interactive 3D visualizations and simulations to communicate his ideas. This approach allows everyone to save money and time on commuting, which is also an eco-friendly approach.
General benefits of virtual reality sports training
When we say virtual reality training is immersive, we not only mean it realistically simulates 3D environments. Another characteristic that makes it immersive is the type of interface it uses. When you put on a VR headset, there are literally no outside distractions that divert your attention from what you’re doing. You don’t see things like your phone lighting up with a notification, so it’s really easier to concentrate.
Another great benefit is the faster learning curve for new skills. Since it’s so immersive, it’s easier for learners to pick up tasks quickly and apply them in a real-world setting. Furthermore, VR enables learners to practice tasks in a safe and risk-free environment, allowing them to become comfortable with their work before taking on the real thing. All this makes virtual reality sports training a great investment for the future.
Our case study – VR fitness app
One of the 200+ projects 4Experience had the opportunity to develop is this virtual reality fitness application. This VR system was designed to provide an immersive and engaging workout experience utilizing the latest technology. It was equipped with a variety of sensors and tracking systems, which measure a user’s movements and provide feedback on their performance.
The project also includes a variety of virtual reality environments, which offer a range of challenges and exercises to keep users motivated and engaged. Users can also compete with each other, adding an extra layer of fun and competition.
A similar system could be designed for use in physical fitness centers, allowing users to enjoy a virtual reality experience while they work out. It can also be compatible with other fitness systems, such as treadmills, creating a comprehensive experience.
We’re ready for the next VR sports project!
According to Techjury, 82% of companies that use VR or AR say that the actual benefits exceeded their initial expectations. So if you think virtual reality sports training could help in your organization or workplace, you can be sure it will do more than that.
Drop us a line, and we’ll write back in a few hours to schedule a free 60-minute consultation with our experts!
