Evaluation of the influence of training in an immersive virtual reality environment on sports skills in table tennis

Introduction: This study explores the possibilities of leveraging immersive virtual reality (VR) training for the improvement of table tennis skills. The primary objective was to assess the in-fluence of VR intervention on the development of table tennis skills. Materials and Methods: Thirty-eight participants, whose mean age was 17.37 ± 0.84 years and who lacked previous table tennis experience, were divided into experimental (n = 21) and control (n = 17) groups. The experimental group engaged in six sessions of VR training aimed at enhancing table tennis skills, and their performance was evaluated using a comprehensive test battery. In contrast, the control group received no intervention, serving as the baseline for comparison. Results: The experimental group showed significant improvements in forehand and backhand return performance, accompanied by a higher overall test battery score. Conversely, no discernible changes were observed in the control group. Conclusions: The findings indicate that VR training has a positive impact on the development of specific motor skills in novice table tennis players. Enhanced forehand and backhand performance, coupled with higher overall test scores, underscore the effectiveness of VR training in enhancing skills of individuals new to the sport.