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The Next Evolution in Sports Practice
INSIDE THE VIRTUAL LOCKER ROOM
THE FUTURE OF ATHLETIC TRAINING
Athletic training has long relied on repetition; however, some of that practice now takes place entirely in virtual spaces. Picture an athlete standing still in a quiet room, headset on, heart rate steady, but every move in front of their eyes looks as real as a stadium full of noise. Thanks to virtual reality (VR), that’s now a possibility, and many athletes are using it to stay sharper when it counts.
Elite players are finding other uses. Tennis star Alexander Zverev combines VR with neuroathletic exercises to train body control and focus. Working with Munich-based company IMPROVR, he can even connect remotely with his coach when they’re on different continents. These sessions help him refine his timing and rhythm, without needing to go onto a court. Of course, the technology isn’t perfect. Long sessions can cause headaches or dizziness, and the headsets are still heavy enough to strain the neck. Without
VR is making its way into practice sessions across disciplines, but the earliest adopters have been skiers and soccer players. The Austrian national ski
team is utilizing the technology to replay downhill runs and study every turn without ever touching the snow. Young players at Germany’s DFB Academy train inside 360-degree re-creations of soccer matches to help boost their on-field awareness and decision-making. A basketball study found the same thing. When ballplayers practiced in VR, they developed instincts that translated to real games once they returned to the court.
true physical feedback, fine motor skills can’t yet be replicated safely. The best results come when VR adds to a routine, not when it tries to replace one. Still, the possibilities are expanding fast. Mixed- reality training could one day enable a sprinter to fill an empty track with a virtual Olympic crowd or help an athlete practice working through pressure- filled moments until they feel routine. VR won’t create champions, but it’s beginning to change how they get ready to compete.
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