| The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality–Based Cognitive Training on Decision-Making, Psychological Flexibility, and Cognitive Flexibility in Elite Football Players |
| Paper ID : 1512-SPORTCONGRESS (R1) |
| Authors |
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Hasan Zahiri *1, محبوبه غیور نجف آبادی2 1Tehran University 2هیات علمی دانشگاه تهران |
| Abstract |
| Abstract Introduction: Elite football performance depends not only on physical and technical skills but also on advanced cognitive and psychological abilities, such as rapid decision-making, cognitive flexibility, and psychological adaptability under stress. Recent advances in virtual reality (VR) technology have provided immersive environments that can simulate real-game scenarios and enhance cognitive training effectiveness. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of VR-based cognitive training on decision-making, psychological flexibility, and cognitive flexibility among elite football players. (1). Methods: This quasi-experimental study will employ a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population consists of elite male football players aged 18–30 from professional clubs. A purposive sampling method will be used to recruit approximately 20–30 participants, randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group will undergo an 8-week VR-based cognitive training program (three sessions per week, 30 minutes each), designed to improve visual scanning, working memory, task switching, and decision speed in football-related scenarios. The control group will continue their regular training routine (2). Results: It is hypothesized that participants in the VR-based cognitive training group will show significant improvements in decision-making accuracy, response time, cognitive flexibility, and psychological flexibility compared to the control group. Conclusion: If effective, VR-based cognitive training could serve as an innovative tool for enhancing cognitive and psychological readiness in elite football players, bridging the gap between mental and technical training in high-performance sports. |
| Keywords |
| Virtual Reality, Cognitive Training, Decision-Making, Elite Football Players |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Poster Presentation) |
