Energy management using virtual reality improves 2000-m rowing performance.
Elite-standard rowers tend to use a fast-start strategy followed by an inverted parabolic-shaped speed profile in 2000-m races. This strategy is probably the best to manage energy resources during the race and maximise performance. This study investigated the use of virtual reality (VR) with novice rowers as a means to learn about energy management. Participants from an avatar group (n = 7) were instructed to track a virtual boat on a screen, whose speed was set individually to follow the appropriate to-be-learned speed profile. A control group (n = 8) followed an indoor training programme. In spite of similar physiological characteristics in the groups, the avatar group learned and maintained the required profile, resulting in an improved performance (i.e. a decrease in race duration), whereas the control group did not. These results suggest that VR is a means to learn an energy-related skill and improve performance.
a Movement to Health (M2H) Laboratory , Montpellier-I University , Montpellier 34 090 , France.
Charles P
CP
Hoffmann
Alessandro
A
Filippeschi
Emanuele
E
Ruffaldi
Benoit G
BG
Bardy
D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D016552:Ergometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012767:Ships; D013177:Sports; D055815:Young Adult