Simplified Virtual Reality System Can Be Used to Evaluate the Temporal Discrimination Ability in Softball Batting as in the Real Environment

Abstract

Recently, virtual reality (VR) technology has developed rapidly and has increasingly come to be used in the sports field. VR technology ranges from large, highly immersive devices to simple devices such as smartphones, and the respective usefulness and shortcomings of different device types have been debated. Simple devices have advantages such as portability, but also provide only a weak sense of realism. It is important to understand the purpose and extent to which VR technologies can be used. Our purpose in this study was to briefly measure one of the cognitive-motor abilities used in softball batting: temporal discrimination ability in swing onset when a batter faces two types of balls thrown at different speeds. We investigated whether a simplified head-mounted display (HMD) system can evaluate such cognitive-motor ability to the same extent as in a real environment. Ten elite female softball batters swung at fastballs and slowballs randomly thrown by the same pitcher in both real and 3D VR environments, with the same range of trajectories. We then compared the temporal discrimination ability of swing onset analyzed by video analysis between environments. We found that the discrimination ability in VR is almost the same as in reality. In addition, questionnaire items on the VR system related to user experience and cybersickness showed overall promising responses. However, we also found that the system had some issues that need to be considered, such as leading to early swing onset and large variability in it. We discussed the usefulness and limitations of the VR system by combining the results for swing onset with the questionnaire responses. By understanding the characteristics of VR technology and using it as an efficient evaluation and training of players, the sports field can make significant progress.

Virtual reality perceptual training can improve the temporal discrimination ability of swinging during softball batting

“…The VR system allowed participants to perceive depth in the ball trajectory and surrounding environment, likely resulting in a highly immersive experience. In a questionnaire survey of players using the same VR system as in this study, positive feedback was obtained regarding the high level of immersion, the realism of the pitcher and ball trajectory, and the perceived effectiveness compared to 2D screens ( 28 ). Such a high level of immersion provided by VR may have facilitated participants' ability to imagine hitting the ball.…”

“…First, since it was not possible to include a placebo group, the criticism that the training group simply became familiar with the VR environment used both in the tests and training is unavoidable. However, it has been demonstrated that the VR system used in this study can be evaluated equally well with a real environment without the need for a long familiarization period ( 28 ). Therefore, we believe that the results of this study are not solely based on the familiarization with the VR system.…”

“…This study used a VR system with a wireless HMD (Meta Quest 2; Meta Platforms Inc., Menlo Park, CA, USA) for all pitch speed anticipation-related tests and training. This VR system was the same as that used in a previous study and was valid for the assessment of pitch speed anticipation ability with action ( 28 ).…”

“…VR provided depth information, particularly concerning ball trajectory, and was expected to have a greater training effect than 2D displays. Previous studies reported that the timing control of swinging motion was more accurate with HMD-VR than with the 2D display in baseball batting ( 27 ) and that HMD-VR is a valid method of evaluating the delta onset in softball batting ( 28 ). Moreover, the use of HMDs has been recommended as a way to compensate for the insufficiency of 2D displays ( 29 ).…”

A Narrative Review of the Link between Sport and Technology

“…• optimization of sports training [46] • designing optimized training programs [47] • training and performance optimization [48] Functional index monitoring • real-time measurement of the hydration status index [19] • energy consumption during competitive periods [16] • nutritional strategies to ensure sufficient energy availability [52] Managing training tasks…”