VR-Based Cognitive & Technical Training in Youth Football: A Randomized Trial

Summary

In recent years, virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising tool to bridge this gap. By providing immersive, interactive, and customizable environments, VR-based interventions offer a safe and controlled platform for simulating complex game scenarios (7). From a neurophysiological perspective, VR training can stimulate the activation of key brain regions involved in perception, attention, and decision-making (8). Recent research examined the relationship between perceptual-cognitive performance in a dynamic 360° environment and soccer-specific performance in youth players (9). Their findings indicated a significant positive correlation between performance in a 360° multiple object tracking task and both passing accuracy and defensive effectiveness in small-sided games.

The repeated exposure to dynamic, visually rich stimuli enhances selective attention, working memory, and anticipatory skills, which are all critical for effective environmental scanning (10,11). Furthermore, the real-time feedback and motor engagement involved in VR-based drills promote sensorimotor integration, strengthening the neural pathways that support technical execution, such as passing accuracy and timing (12). These findings suggest that VR is not merely a visual aid but a cognitive training modality capable of eliciting measurable changes in sport-specific decision-making and technical performance (13).

However, current literature is still limited in terms of randomized controlled trials investigating the combined effects of VR on scanning and passing performance in football players. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of a VR-based training program that integrates cognitive and technical drills on scanning behavior and passing performance in youth footballers. It was hypothesized that VR-based training intervention would demonstrate significantly greater improvements in scanning frequency and passing accuracy compared to those in the control group receiving only traditional training.

Conditions

• Virtual Reality
• Football
• Training Study
• Cognitive Performance

Interventions

OTHER

Virtual Reality Training Group

Participants continued their routine football training program with no additional VR-based training. This group served as the active comparator to evaluate the relative effects of VR training on scanning frequency and passing performance.

OTHER

Standard Football Training

Participants continued their routine football training program with no additional VR-based training. This group served as the active comparator to evaluate the relative effects of VR training on scanning frequency and passing performance.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kocaeli Sağlık ve Teknoloji Üniversitesi

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

16 Years

Max Age

17 Years

Sex

MALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-03-01

Primary Completion

2025-07-01

Completion

2025-08-01

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations