Virtual Reality Training on Technical Skills, Training Load and Mental Fatigue in Football

The Effect of Virtual Reality Training on Technical Skills, Training Load and Mental Fatigue in Football Players

Virtual reality (VR) technology has emerged as a promising supplementary training tool in football, yet no study has simultaneously examined its effects on technical skills, training load, and mental fatigue within a randomized controlled design. This study evaluated the effects of an 8-week Rezzil Index® VR training program on football-specific technical skills, training load (sRPE), and mental fatigue in licensed male football players. Twenty-four male football players (age: 18.82±0.85 years) were randomly assigned to a VR training group (n=12) or a control group (n=12). The VR group completed two supplementary sessions per week using the Rezzil Index® application (HTC Vive Pro and Oculus Quest 2) in addition to regular team training. Football-specific technical skills, mental fatigue (Modified Color-Word Stroop Test), and training load (session RPE) were assessed pre- and post-intervention. The VR group demonstrated statistically significant improvements in all technical skill measures (p<0.05; d=0.91-1.69, large effects). Rezzil Index® VR training is an effective complementary method for improving football-specific technical skills.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Licensed male football players aged 18 years or older
• Active participation in regular team training
• No history of serious musculoskeletal injury in the past 6 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of serious injury or surgical intervention
• Psychiatric or neurological conditions
• Regular use of medication affecting cognitive performance
• Prior experience with VR training systems