Date of Submission

Spring 2020

Academic Program

Psychology

Project Advisor 1

Thomas Hutcheon

Abstract/Artist's Statement

Previous research has shown that visualization is an effective method used to improve motor performance (Ridderinkhof, 2015) and that similar neural pathways are activated while visualizing and performing a task (Decety, 1989). More recent research has begun to look at whether virtual reality similarly improves motor performance (Bideau, 2004). The advantages of virtual reality include the ability to practice without physical exertion (Ridderinkhof, 2015) and a better cognitive understanding of complex tactics (Science-based cognitive assessment & training, 2019). In the current study, the effects of virtual reality and visualization on motor performance in sports is tested based on the success rate of being able to make free-throws between the Control, Visualization or Virtual Reality groups. I hypothesized that the Virtual Reality group will make more shots than the Visualization or the Control groups because of its more interactive ability. I also hypothesized that participants' self-efficacy will increase after using virtual reality. The results of my research showed that there was no significant difference in shooting ability between groups. On the other hand, the participants in the Virtual Reality group found virtual reality to be significantly more useful than the Control group found counting backwards to be. Virtual reality was not significantly on any of the other self-efficacy questions. Future research should continue to examine the possible effects that virtual reality can have on motor performance as well as self-efficacy improvement.

Open Access Agreement

Open Access

Creative Commons License

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

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