Effects of virtual reality-based training for soccer players on anticipatory brain functions and cognitive skills

The present study examines the impact of a sport-specific training program based on virtual reality (VR) in young semi-elitè soccer players on cognitive performance and on anticipatory brain functions using the event-related potential (ERP) method. In this randomized control trial, the participants were divided into two groups: a control group, which followed a standard soccer training program, and an experimental group, which followed the same training but underwent an additional VR training session once a week. Results indicated that after eight weeks of training, the experimental group only showed a notable enhancement of anticipatory brain activity in the prefrontal cortex as evidenced by a 40 % increase in the prefrontal negativity (pN) ERP component. The motor preparatory activity in the premotor cortex indexed by the Bereitschaftspotential (BP) component was comparable between groups before the training and larger in the experimental group after it. Furthermore, the experimental group only showed enhanced cognitive performance improving response speed and accuracy in a discrimination response task. These findings indicate that using VR protocol in conventional soccer training may enhance cognitive anticipatory brain processing underlying top-down cognitive functions. This likely boosted cognitive performance. In conclusion, we confirmed the potential of immersive technologies to facilitate the integration of cognitive training in sports.