The Effect of Long-term Virtual Reality-based Motor Imagery Exercise Intervention on Executive Performance in Competitive Shooting Athlete

NCT07522515 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2020A126
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 134
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study evaluates whether a 12-week virtual reality-based motor imagery (VRMI) training program can improve executive function and shooting performance in competitive 10-meter air pistol athletes. The study compares VRMI with traditional exercise training and a control condition consisting of health education videos. Eligible athletes are assigned to one of the three groups and complete the assigned intervention for 12 weeks. Before and after the intervention, participants complete a virtual reality shooting competition and cognitive testing. The study measures shooting performance, visual attention using eye-tracking, prefrontal cortex activity using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and salivary neurotransmitter levels. The purpose of this study is to determine whether VRMI is a useful training method for improving attention control, executive function, and performance in precision shooting athletes.

Conditions

Executive Function (Cognition); Shooting Performance

Keywords

Virtual Reality-based Motor Imagery; Athlete; Executive Performance; Shooting

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change from Baseline in Mean Shooting Score in a 10-Meter Air Pistol VR Competition

  Mean shooting score measured in a virtual reality 10-meter air pistol competition. Scores are based on 24 shots per session, with each shot scored from 0 to 10.9 points. The mean shooting score ranges from 0 to 10.9, with higher scores indicating better shooting performance. Change from baseline to 12 weeks will be assessed.

  Baseline and 12 weeks

• Shooting Performance Score in 10-Meter Air Pistol Competition

  The mean shooting score measured in a virtual reality 10-meter air pistol competition. Scores are based on 24 shots per session, with a maximum score of 10.9 per shot. The outcome evaluates the effect of VRMI training, traditional exercise, and control conditions on athletes' precision and consistency.

  Measured at baseline and after 12-week intervention period.

Study Arms (3)

VRMI Training (Experimental Intervention)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive Virtual Reality Motor Imagery (VRMI) training, which includes progressive muscle relaxation, 3D demonstration, guided motor imagery, and physical practice. Sessions are 25 minutes long, 3 times per week, for 12 weeks. This arm aims to improve shooting performance, executive function, and visual attention.

Behavioral: Virtual Reality Motor Imagery Training

Traditional Exercise Training

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive traditional exercise training, including progressive muscle relaxation, 2D video demonstration, guided motor imagery, and physical practice. Sessions are 25 minutes long, 3 times per week, for 12 weeks. This arm is designed to improve shooting performance, executive function, and visual attention, but without immersive VR.

Behavioral: Traditional Exercise Training

Control Group - Health Education Videos

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants watch educational videos about nutrition and healthy lifestyle. Sessions are 25 minutes long, 3 times per week, for 12 weeks. No physical training is included. This arm serves as a control to distinguish the effects of the experimental interventions.

Behavioral: Health Education Videos

Interventions

Virtual Reality Motor Imagery Training BEHAVIORAL

Participants undergo Virtual Reality Motor Imagery (VRMI) training using Oculus Quest 2 headsets. The intervention includes four stages: progressive muscle relaxation, 3D demonstration of shooting movements, guided motor imagery exercises, and physical rehearsal of shooting techniques. Sessions are 25 minutes per session, three times per week, for 12 weeks. This immersive intervention is designed to enhance shooting performance, executive function, visual attention, and prefrontal cortex activation, distinguishing it from traditional exercise and control interventions.

VRMI Training (Experimental Intervention)

Traditional Exercise Training BEHAVIORAL

Participants perform traditional exercise training that includes progressive muscle relaxation, 2D video demonstration of shooting movements, guided motor imagery exercises, and physical rehearsal of shooting techniques. Sessions last 25 minutes per session, three times per week, for 12 weeks. This intervention provides both physical and cognitive practice without immersive VR, aiming to improve shooting performance and executive function, while differing from the VRMI intervention in modality and immersive experience.

Traditional Exercise Training

Health Education Videos BEHAVIORAL

Participants watch educational videos on nutrition and healthy lifestyle. Sessions last 25 minutes per session, three times per week, for 12 weeks. No motor imagery or physical shooting training is included. This control intervention is designed to match contact time with other groups while isolating the effects of VRMI and traditional exercise interventions.

Control Group - Health Education Videos

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 26 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Healthy volunteers aged 20 to 26 years.
• Right-handed.
• Normal or corrected-to-normal vision.
• No history of neurological disorders affecting motor performance.
• No history of psychiatric disorders affecting motor performance.
• No history of musculoskeletal disorders affecting motor performance.
• Willing and able to participate in the 12-week training program.
• Willing and able to follow all study procedures.

You may not qualify if:

• Current injury affecting upper limb movement.
• Past injury affecting upper limb movement or fine motor skills.
• Sleep disorders during the intervention period.
• Irregular sleep patterns during the intervention period.
• Participation in other structured shooting training programs during the study.
• Participation in other motor imagery training programs during the study.
• Expected attendance at less than 80% of training sessions.
• Use of medications that may affect cognitive function.
• Use of medications that may affect motor function.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Xiaodong Cheng: lead

Study Sites (1)

Capital University of Physical Education and Sports

Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100191, China

Location

Related Links

• Related Info

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: Due to the nature of the interventions, participants and trainers cannot be blinded, as the VRMI training, traditional exercise training, and health education videos are visibly different. However, outcome assessors and data analysts are blinded to group assignment to minimize bias in data collection and analysis. No other parties are masked beyond these roles.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Xian Medical University

Model Details: This study uses a parallel design in which participants are randomly assigned to one of three intervention arms: VRMI Training (Virtual Reality Motor Imagery), Traditional Exercise Training (Exe), or a Control Group receiving Health Education Videos. Each participant receives only one intervention for a duration of 12 weeks, with three sessions per week and 25 minutes per session. The primary purpose of the study is to compare the effects of these interventions on shooting performance, executive function, visual attention, and prefrontal cortex hemodynamics and neurotransmitter levels. Randomization is performed using a computer-generated sequence to ensure balanced group assignment and minimize selection bias. Due to the nature of the interventions, participants cannot be blinded; however, outcome assessors and data analysts are blinded to group allocation to reduce potential bias in assessment.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 1, 2026
• First Posted: April 13, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: August 1, 2025
• Study Completion: October 15, 2025
• Last Updated: April 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CN (1)