A novel balance training approach: Biomechanical study of virtual reality-based skateboarding

Abstract

Introduction: The use of virtual reality (VR) technology in training and rehabilitation gained increasing attention in recent years due to its potential to provide immersive and interactive experiences. We developed a novel VR-based balance training, VR-skateboarding, for improving balance. It is important to investigate the biomechanical aspects of this training, as it would have benefited both health professionals and software engineers.Aims: This study aimed to compare the biomechanical characteristics of VR-skateboarding with those of walking.Materials and Methods: Twenty young participants (10 males and 10 females) were recruited. Participants underwent VR-skateboarding and walking at the comfortable walking speed, with the treadmill set at the same speed for both tasks. The motion capture system and electromyography were used to determine joint kinematics and muscle activity of the trunk and legs, respectively. The force platform was also used to collect the ground reaction force.Results: Participants demonstrated increased trunk flexion angles and muscle activity of trunk extensor during VR-skateboarding than during walking (p < 0.01). For the supporting leg, participants’ joint angles of hip flexion and ankle dorsiflexion, as well as muscle activity of knee extensor, were higher during VR-skateboarding than during walking (p < 0.01). For the moving leg, only hip flexion increased in VR-skateboarding when compared to walking (p < 0.01). Furthermore, participants increased weight distribution in the supporting leg during VR-skateboarding (p < 0.01).Conclusion: VR-skateboarding is a novel VR-based balance training that has been found to improve balance through increased trunk and hip flexion, facilitated knee extensor muscles, and increased weight distribution on the supporting leg compared to walking. These differences in biomechanical characteristics have potential clinical implications for both health professionals and software engineers. Health professionals may consider incorporating VR-skateboarding into training protocols to improve balance, while software engineers may use this information to design new features in VR systems. Our study suggests that the impact of VR-skateboarding particularly manifest when focusing on the supporting leg.

Virtual reality skateboarding training for balance and functional performance in degenerative lumbar spine disease

“…The wheels of the skateboard were securely immobilized on the treadmill’s stationary belt for safety reasons, and waist-level handrails were provided for support during the VR skateboarding training. This training followed the design proposed in a previous study [ 23 ].…”

“…2 . Both groups participated in a 6-week training session [ 23 , 30 ], with assessments one week before and after the training. Participants slid one leg at a comfortable speed on the moving belt [ 31 ] while maintaining the other leg on the skateboard for one minute before switching legs.…”

“…Skateboarding also improves coordination and balance, for it requires synchronous engagement of the entire body with muscular and visual input [ 22 ]. Furthermore, unlike walking, skateboarding enhances balance compared to walking by promoting greater trunk and hip flexion, activating the knee extensor muscles, and shifting weight onto the supporting leg [ 23 ]. As a result, the primary benefits of skateboard training for patients with DLD include (1) engagement in exercise training in a less painful posture, and (2) a focus on single-leg weight-bearing.…”

“…It also enhances participants’ motivation, engagement, and attention, so it is finding wide use in clinical applications. Furthermore, related studies have demonstrated that VR can improve pain management and enhance muscle and balance performance [ 23 , 25 – 29 ].…”

“…The design of VR skateboarding training [ 23 ] not only incorporates unilateral limb training but also theoretically aligns with the activity needs of patients with DLD. We hypothesized that the balance and muscle performance of patients with DLD could be improved through this novel VR skateboarding training.…”