Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality in Sports Training: A Systematic Review on Skill Acquisition and Perceptual–Motor Performance

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) are increasingly integrated into sports training, yet evidence on their effectiveness remains fragmented. This systematic review synthesized experimental studies published between 2012 and 2025 on AI, VR, and hybrid AI+VR interventions for athletes, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Six data-bases were searched, yielding 14 eligible studies. Results showed that VR interventions improved reaction time, decision-making, and balance, whereas AI programs enhanced learning efficiency and reduced errors. Hybrid approaches (n= 3) demonstrated the strongest sport-specific transfer effects, particularly in football and basketball. Regarding methodological quality, six studies presented a low risk of bias, five moderate, and three high. However, most interventions were short term with small samples, and heteroge-neity prevented meta-analysis. Overall, AI and VR hold considerable promise for en-hancing motor learning and perceptual–cognitive skills, but more rigorous randomized controlled trials with standardized outcomes are needed.

Keywords

• Virtual reality
• Artificial intelligence
• Motor learning
• Perceptual–cognitive skills
• Sys-tematic review

Spor Eğitiminde Yapay Zekâ ve Sanal Gerçeklik: Beceri Edinimi ve Algısal-Motor Performans Üzerine Sistematik Derleme

Öz

Yapay zekâ (YZ) ve sanal gerçeklik (SG) spor eğitimine giderek daha fazla entegre edilmektedir; ancak bu teknolojilerin etkinliğine ilişkin kanıtlar hâlen parçalıdır. Bu sistematik derleme, PRISMA 2020 yönergeleri doğrultusunda 2012–2025 yılları arasında yayımlanmış, sporcularda YZ, SG ve hibrit YZ+SG müdahalelerini inceleyen deneysel çalışmaları sentezlemiştir. Altı veri tabanında yapılan taramalar sonucunda 14 uygun çalışma belirlenmiştir. Bulgular, SG müdahalelerinin tepki süresi, karar verme ve dengeyi geliştirdiğini; YZ programlarının ise öğrenme verimliliğini artırıp hataları azalttığını göstermiştir. Hibrit yaklaşımlar (n = 3), özellikle futbol ve basketbol gibi branşlarda en güçlü spora özgü aktarım etkilerini ortaya koymuştur. Yöntemsel kalite açısından, altı çalışma düşük, beş çalışma orta ve üç çalışma yüksek yanlılık riski taşımaktadır. Ancak, müdahalelerin çoğu kısa süreli ve küçük örneklemlerle yürütülmüş, ayrıca heterojenlik meta-analizin yapılmasını engellemiştir. Genel olarak, YZ ve SG motor öğrenme ve algısal-bilişsel becerilerin geliştirilmesinde önemli bir potansiyel taşımaktadır; ancak daha standartlaştırılmış çıktılarla yürütülecek titiz randomize kontrollü çalışmalara ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Sanal gerçeklik
• Yapay zeka
• Motor öğrenme
• Algısal-bilişsel beceriler
• Sistematik inceleme

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