The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality on Anxiety and Performance in Female Soccer Players

Abstract

With the increased use of technology, relaxation interventions are finding their way into technology devices like virtual reality head-mounted displays (VR HMDs). However, there is a lack of evidence on the efficacy of VR relaxation interventions to reduce anxiety in athletes and how that is portrayed in their movement patterns. The purpose of the current study was to examine how a VR relaxation intervention affected perceived anxiety levels and penalty kick performance of female soccer players. Thirteen female soccer players took five penalty kicks in baseline, stress-induced, and VR relaxation conditions. Perceived levels of anxiety, self-confidence, mental effort, heart rate (HR), accelerometry of the lumbar spine and thigh, and performance in each condition was obtained. Results indicated that the VR intervention significantly reduced cognitive anxiety and somatic anxiety from baseline (p = 0.002; p = 0.001) and stress (p < 0.001; p < 0.001) with large effect sizes (Kendall’s W = 0.72; 0.83). VR significantly increased self-confidence from baseline (p = 0.002) and stress (p = 0.001) with a large effect size (Kendall’s W = 0.71). Additionally, all participants felt that VR helped them relax. Mental effort was significantly higher in the stress condition compared to that in baseline (p = 0.007) with moderate effect size (Kendall’s W = 0.39). Peak acceleration and performance were not significantly influenced by stress or VR. This study serves as an initial step to evaluate VR relaxation interventions on performance in female soccer players.

Sensor fusion-based virtual reality for enhanced physical training

“…Lastly, mental preparedness, an often-underestimated aspect of physical training, is crucial. Sensor fusion-based VR platforms recreate high-fidelity, challenging scenarios that facilitate the honing of mental faculties like focus, visualization and stress handling (Rings et al , 2019; Šalkevicius et al , 2019; Harrison et al , 2021). This immersive experience fosters mental resilience and preparedness, essential aspects of overall performance in various physical activities (Clifford et al , 2019).…”

“…The VR training group showed significant improvements in pain intensity, kinesiophobia and hormonal variables compared to the other two groups. Harrison et al (2021) investigated the effectiveness of a VR relaxation intervention on reducing anxiety and improving penalty kick performance in female soccer players. The study collected physical data using Kinematics and Polar H10 sensors to appraise the physical effects of stress and VR on the participants.…”

Physical Versus Virtual Reality–Based Calm Rooms for Psychiatric Inpatients: Quasi-Randomized Trial

“…With these strategies, high BP and HR may be lowered [ 9 ]. Effects of VR calming rooms are not explored, but there is a couple of studies that show reduced distress levels and lower HR [ 39 , 40 ]. A previous study [ 41 ] supports that HR and some other physical signs of arousal reduced after the use of multisensory treatment as well that patients felt more relaxed, focused, calm, and comfortable aligned with the results of our study and allows to draw conclusion that sensory interventions are likely to reduce distress inducing the subjective well-being in psychiatric inpatient care.…”

Evaluating a virtual reality sensory room for adults with disabilities

“…This is the first study to examine the impact of a VR Sensory Room on anxiety so there are limited studies to compare to. A pervious study by Harrison et al 52 measured the impact of a VR relaxation intervention on the anxiety of adult female athletes with measures of physiology such as heart rate (HR) and kinematics. The VR relaxation intervention comprised a four minute passive audio-visual experience of a camp fire and was found to significantly reduce anxiety, including a lower HR.…”