Investigation of the Effect of Virtual Reality Assisted Exercise Program on Physical Parameters in Hockey Players

NCT07379346 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: Amasya Uni-E.10568
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This single-blind randomized controlled trial investigates the effects of a virtual reality-assisted exercise program added to routine hockey training on balance, functional ankle dorsiflexion, agility, and shooting performance in youth hockey players. Participants are randomly assigned to either routine training alone or routine training plus a 6-week virtual reality-assisted exercise intervention delivered via the Nintendo Wii Balance Board. Outcomes are assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and at 3-week follow-up by a blinded assessor.

Conditions

Virtual Reality Based Therapy; Ankle Dorsiflexion; Motor Learning; Agility

Keywords

Assistive Technology; Balance Control; Motor Learning; Sensorimotor Integration; Virtual Reality

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Shooting Performance

  Shooting performance is assessed using a standardized target-based shooting accuracy protocol. Participants perform drag-flick shots toward predefined target zones, and total hit scores are recorded. Higher scores indicate better shooting accuracy.

  Baseline, immediately post-intervention (6 weeks), and 3-week follow-up

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Dynamic Balance (Y Balance Test)

  Baseline, post-intervention (6 weeks), and 3-week follow-up

• Functional Ankle Dorsiflexion (Weight-Bearing Lunge Test)

  Baseline, post-intervention (6 weeks), and 3-week follow-up

• Agility (T-run Agility Test)

  Baseline, post-intervention (6 weeks), and 3-week follow-up

Study Arms (2)

Routine Hockey Training (Control)

NO INTERVENTION

Participants continue routine hockey training (warm-up, passing drills, offense-defense organization, penalty-corner practices) 3 days/week.

Routine Training + VR-Assisted Exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants continue routine hockey training and additionally perform virtual reality-assisted exercises using the Nintendo Wii Balance Board, 30 minutes/session, 3 sessions/week, for 6 weeks.

Device: Nintendo Wii Balance Board Exergaming

Interventions

Nintendo Wii Balance Board Exergaming DEVICE

Obstacle Course, Ski Slalom, and NFL Slapshot; 30 minutes/session; 3 sessions/week; 6 weeks.

Routine Training + VR-Assisted Exercise

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 16 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Youth hockey players affiliated with a competitive hockey team
• Aged between 16 and 25 years
• Regular participation in routine hockey training
• Voluntary participation with written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of an injury preventing participation in routine hockey training
• Presence of visual or neurological conditions that may interfere with virtual reality-assisted exercises
• Failure to attend the virtual reality-assisted exercise program for more than two consecutive sessions

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hitit University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Amasya University

Amasya, Merkez, 05100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Polikanova I, et al. Virtual reality training improves balance and agility in athletes. Journal of Sports Sciences. 2021;39(4):456-464. Laufer Y, et al. The effect of virtual reality-based training on postural control. Gait & Posture. 2014;40(2):285-291. Schmitt KU, et al. Balance and sensorimotor training in sports performance. Sports Medicine. 2019;49(3):421-435.

  BACKGROUND

Study Officials

• Ertuğrul Deniz KÖSE, Ph.D

  Amasya University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Outcome assessments are performed by a physiotherapist who is blinded to group allocation.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assist. Prof. Dr.

Model Details: Participants are randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups. The control group continues routine hockey training only, while the intervention group continues routine training and additionally receives a virtual reality-assisted exercise program. Group allocation remains fixed throughout the study, and outcomes are compared between groups across three assessment time points (baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up).

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 23, 2026
• First Posted: January 30, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2020
• Primary Completion: December 31, 2023
• Study Completion: November 30, 2025
• Last Updated: February 3, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF, CSR, ANALYTIC CODE
• Time Frame: From publication
• Access Criteria: Access to the de-identified individual participant data will be granted to qualified researchers upon reasonable request, subject to approval by the corresponding author and in compliance with ethical approvals.

Locations

TU (1)