| The Effect of Virtual Reality–Based Mental Training on Flow State and Mental Toughness in National Basketball Team Players |
| Paper ID : 1523-SPORTCONGRESS |
| Authors |
|
Bita Dabaghian * University of tehtran |
| Abstract |
| Introduction: This study aims to investigate the effects of a virtual reality–based mental training program on achieving flow state and enhancing mental toughness among national basketball team players. With the increasing use of immersive technologies in elite sports, this research seeks to provide an evidence-based protocol for psychological skill enhancement (1). Methods: Twenty-four male national basketball players will be randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group will participate in a six-week VR-based mental training program (three sessions per week, 30 minutes each), incorporating visualization, emotional regulation, and focus exercises within simulated competitive environments. Psychological assessments, including the Flow State Scale and the Mental Toughness Questionnaire, will be administered before and after the intervention (2). Results: It is expected that participants in the VR-based training group will demonstrate significant improvements in flow dimensions such as concentration, control, and automaticity, as well as higher scores in confidence and resilience compared with the control group. Conclusion: The anticipated findings suggest that virtual reality can serve as a powerful tool for enhancing cognitive and emotional components of peak performance. By exposing athletes to controlled yet realistic pressure scenarios, VR training may strengthen their capacity to maintain focus and composure under competition stress. This psychological conditioning could translate into improved decision-making, consistency, and overall game performance. Furthermore, integrating VR-based interventions into the regular training routines of national-level athletes could help bridge the gap between psychological readiness and physical preparation. Future studies may extend this approach to other team sports, investigate long-term retention effects, and explore neural correlates of flow and resilience enhancement through neurofeedback or brain imaging techniques. |
| Keywords |
| Virtual reality, Mental training, Flow state, Mental toughness |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Poster Presentation) |
