Virtual Competitors Influence Rowers

Abstract

Highly immersive environments for sports simulation can help elucidate if and how athletes perform under high pressure situations. We used a rowing simulator with a CAVE setup to test the influence of virtual competitors on 10 experienced rowers. All participants were using the simulator for the first time. The objective was to assess the degree of presence by quantifying how the actions of the virtual competitors triggered behavioral changes in the experienced rowers. The participants completed a virtual 2000 m race with two competing boats, one being behind and one ahead of the participant. For two trials, each boat would come closer to the participant without overtaking, resulting in four experimental conditions. The behavior of the participants was assessed with biomechanical variables, questionnaires, and an interview after the race. Behavioral changes were detected with statistically significant differences in the extracted variables of oar angles, timing variables, velocities, and work. The results for biomechanical variables indicate individual response patterns depending on perception of competitors and self-confidence. Self-reporting indicated a high degree of presence for most participants. Overall, the experimental paradigm worked but was compromised by perceptive and subjective factors. In future, the setup will be used to investigate rowing performance further with a focus on motor learning and training of pressure situations.

Enhancing Our Lives with Immersive Virtual Reality

“…They did not find a notable outcome in this regard, only the relatively high degree of presence felt by the participants. On similar lines, Wellner et al (2010a) examined whether the presence of virtual competitors in a rowing competition would boost performance. No definite results were found, but according to the authors, the study had some flaws, and in any case the sample size was small (n = 10).…”

Deceptive Manipulation of Competitive Starting Strategies Influences Subsequent Pacing, Physiological Status, and Perceptual Responses during Cycling Time Trials

“…The reaction to a competitor's movement is based on self-confidence and previous experience in a competitive situation (Foster et al, 1993; Wellner et al, 2010), integrated with the athletes' anxiety, motivation and excitement on the day of the event (St Clair Gibson et al, 2006). In cycling, changes in pacing strategy can significantly affect performance (van Ingen et al, 1992), specifically the exercise intensity elicited during the starting phase of an event (Mattern et al, 2001).…”

Game-day football visualization experience on dissimilar virtual reality platforms

“…The last second goal line stand or the must make catch can induce significant stress in athletes. Research by Wellner et al indicates that VR environments can even reproduce the stress associated with a particular sporting situation 35 . They created a high fidelity simulation of a rowing competition.…”