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

NCT07144371 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: ES-VR-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 22
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief 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

Keywords

cognitive training; scanning behavior; passing performance; perceptual skills

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Scanning Frequency in Small-Sided Games

  Scanning behavior will be assessed during structured small-sided games and categorized into three domains: (1) before ball reception, (2) during ball control, and (3) off-the-ball. Each scanning action will be coded from synchronized video recordings by trained analysts using standardized operational definitions. Outcomes will be expressed as the number of scanning actions per game and analyzed for changes from baseline to post-intervention.

  Baseline (pre-intervention) and after 7 weeks of training

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• One-Touch Short-Successful Passes

  Baseline and after 7 weeks of training

• Control-Pass Short-Successful Passes

  Baseline and after 7 weeks of training

• Penetrative-Successful Passes

  Baseline and after 7 weeks of training

• Long-Successful Passes

  Baseline and after 7 weeks of training

• Passing Efficiency

  Baseline and after 7 weeks of training

Study Arms (2)

Virtual Reality Training Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm completed a 7-week virtual reality training program in addition to their regular football practice. The VR training was performed three times per week using the SensiballVR™ system, which integrates immersive cognitive drills (multi-object tracking, peripheral vision, scanning tasks) with football-specific technical passing scenarios under time pressure.

Other: Virtual Reality Training Group

Control Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this arm continued their regular football training sessions over the 7-week period. They did not receive any additional VR-based training. This group served as the control condition for comparison with the experimental VR group.

Other: Standard Football Training

Interventions

Virtual Reality Training Group OTHER

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.

Also known as: Control Group

Virtual Reality Training Group

Standard Football Training OTHER

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.

Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 16 Years - 17 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Male youth football players (U16-U17 age categories)
• Injury-free in the past 12 months
• Normal or corrected-to-normal vision
• No prior exposure to virtual reality-based training

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of neurological disorders
• Presence of vestibular disorders
• History of recent orthopedic surgery

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kocaeli Sağlık ve Teknoloji Üniversitesi: lead

Study Sites (1)

Eskişehir Technical University

Eskişehir, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (2)

• Lachowicz M, Zurek A, Jamro D, Serweta-Pawlik A, Zurek G. Changes in concentration performance and alternating attention after short-term virtual reality training in E-athletes: a pilot study. Sci Rep. 2024 Apr 17;14(1):8904. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-59539-w.

  PMID: 38632364 BACKGROUND

• Erisik K, Cerrah AO, Cinarli FS. Effects of virtual reality-based cognitive and technical drills on scanning and passing performance in youth football players: a randomized controlled study. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2025 Dec 24;17(1):371. doi: 10.1186/s13102-025-01425-7.

  PMID: 41444702 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Control Groups

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Epidemiologic Research Design; Epidemiologic Methods; Investigative Techniques; Research Design; Methods

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Ass Prof

Model Details: This study used a parallel-group, randomized controlled design. Twenty-two youth football players (U16-U17) were randomly allocated to either a Virtual Reality (VR) training group or a Control group (n = 11 per group). The intervention lasted 7 weeks, with three VR training sessions per week in addition to regular football practice. The Control group continued regular football training only. Outcomes included scanning frequency and passing performance assessed during structured small-sided games.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 17, 2025
• First Posted: August 27, 2025
• Study Start: March 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: July 1, 2025
• Study Completion: August 1, 2025
• Last Updated: August 27, 2025

Record last verified: 2023-02

Locations

TU (1)