Can Virtual Reality Exercises Support Skill Development While Causing Game Addiction? A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Özhan Bavlı

doi:10.54141/psbd.1864108

Can Virtual Reality Exercises Support Skill Development While Causing Game Addiction? A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of complementary Virtual Reality (VR) gaming-based basketball training on skill transfer, physiological performance, and psychological factors in young athletes. A total of 20 male basketball players aged 16-18 years voluntarily participated in the study. Participants were randomly divided into two groups (Virtual Reality: 10, Control: 10). Basketball technical skills, aerobic endurance, decision-making styles, game addiction and VR experience were tested. SPSS was used for data analysis. Mann-Whitney U test results showed that the control group (CG) improved significantly more in dribbling speed (p = 0.003, ES = 0.78) and moving shot accuracy (p = 0.012, ES = 0.56) than the VR group. Conversely, the CG showed a significantly larger increase in estimated VO₂max (p = 0.013, ES = 0.69). No significant differences were found between groups in decision-making subscales or game addiction scores (p > 0.05). The VR experience questionnaire revealed very high acceptance rates (100% would recommend VR), positive perceptions of skill development (75%), and minimal physical side effects (0% dizziness). However, ratings remained low for the realism of controller movements (30%) and adequacy of session duration (25%). In conclusion, short-term and complementary VR gaming-based training is not suitable for endurance in young basketball players, but has no effect on game addiction, has limited impact on decision-making processes, and can be tentatively recommended as a viable exercise modality due to participant satisfaction with VR application and its positive effects on basketball skills.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

The author declare that no financial support was received from any organization or institution for the research, authorship, and publication of this article.

Ethical Statement

The research was conducted after receiving approval from Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Social Sciences and Humanities Ethics Committee (Decision No: 156/172, Date: 16.05.2025). All participants and parents of participants under 18 years were given detailed information about the research, and written consent forms were obtained. The research was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki

Thanks

We thank all participants who participated in the study

References

Bangsbo, J. (1994). Fitness training in football: A scientific approach. August Krogh Institute, University of Copenhagen.
Bideau, B., Kulpa, R., Vignais, N., Brault, S., Multon, F., & Craig, C. (2010). Using virtual reality to analyze sports performance. IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications, 30(2), 14–21. https://doi.org/10.1109/MCG.2009.134
Castagna, C., Impellizzeri, F. M., Chamari, K., Carlomagno, D., & Rampinini, E. (2006). Aerobic fitness and Yo-Yo continuous and intermittent tests performances in soccer players: A correlation study. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 20(2), 320–325.
Covaci, A., Olivier, A. H., & Multon, F. (2015). Visual perspective and feedback guidance for VR free-throw training. IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications, 35(5), 55–65. https://doi.org/10.1109/MCG.2015.95
Çolakkadıoğlu, O., & Güçray, S. S. (2007). Ergenlerde Karar Verme Ölçeği'ni Türkçe'ye uyarlama çalışması. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, (26), 61–77.
Erişik, K., Cerrah, A. O., & Cinarli, F. S. (2025). Effects of virtual reality-based cognitive and technical drills on scanning and passing performance in youth football players: A randomized controlled study. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 17(1), Article 371. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01425-7
Fritz, C. O., Morris, P. E., & Richler, J. J. (2012). Effect size estimates: Current use, calculations, and interpretation. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 141(1), 2–18. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0024338
Gray, R. (2017). Transfer of training from virtual to real baseball batting. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, Article 2183. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02183

Günar, B. B., & Bavlı, Ö. (2025). Effectiveness of virtual reality games on the specific sport skills of adolescents. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 17(1), Article 194. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01243-x
Lemmens, J. S., Valkenburg, P. M., & Peter, J. (2009). Development and validation of a game addiction scale for adolescents. Media Psychology, 12(1), 77–95. https://doi.org/10.1080/15213260802669458
Liu, R., Yusof Hanafi, H. A., Zhong, Z., & Hami, R. (2026). Effects of virtual reality training on racket sports performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials. PLOS ONE, 21(4), Article e0345541. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0345541
Mann, L., Harmoni, R., & Power, C. (1989). Adolescent decision-making: The development of competence. Journal of Adolescence, 12(3), 265–278. https://doi.org/10.1016/0140-1971(89)90077-8
Miles, H. C., Pop, S. R., Watt, S. J., Lawrence, G. P., & John, N. W. (2012). A review of virtual environments for training in ball sports. Computers & Graphics, 36(6), 714–726. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cag.2012.04.007
Neumann, D. L., Moffitt, R. L., Thomas, P. R., Loveday, K., Watling, D. P., Lombard, C. L., Antonova, S., Tremeer, M. A. (2018). A systematic review of the application of interactive virtual reality to sport. Virtual Reality, 22(3), 183–198. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-017-0320-5
Tieri, G., Morone, G., Paolucci, S., & Iosa, M. (2018). Virtual reality in cognitive and motor rehabilitation: Facts, fiction and fallacies. Expert Review of Medical Devices, 15(2), 107–117. https://doi.org/10.1080/17434440.2018.1425613
Vernillo, G., Silvestri, A., & La Torre, A. (2012). The Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test in junior basketball players according to performance level and age group. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 26(9), 2490–2494. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e31823f2878
Wootten, M., & Wootten, J. (2012). Coaching basketball successfully (3rd ed.). Human Kinetics.
Yalçın Irmak, A., & Erdoğan, S. (2015). Dijital Oyun Bağımlılığı Ölçeği Türkçe formunun geçerliliği ve güvenilirliği. Anadolu Psikiyatri Dergisi, 16(1), 10–18. https://doi.org/10.5455/apd.170337

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Physical Activity and Health

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Özhan Bavlı ^*
0000-0002-6850-9925
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

October 12, 2026

Publication Date

-

Submission Date

January 15, 2026

Acceptance Date

August 19, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

DOI

https://doi.org/10.54141/psbd.1864108

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA65RY54YB

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Bavlı, Ö. (2026). Can Virtual Reality Exercises Support Skill Development While Causing Game Addiction? A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. Pamukkale Journal of Sport Sciences, Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.54141/psbd.1864108

AMA

1.Bavlı Ö. Can Virtual Reality Exercises Support Skill Development While Causing Game Addiction? A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. Pamukkale J Sport Sci. 2026;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.54141/psbd.1864108

Chicago

Bavlı, Özhan. 2026. “Can Virtual Reality Exercises Support Skill Development While Causing Game Addiction? A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study”. Pamukkale Journal of Sport Sciences, no. Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.54141/psbd.1864108.

EndNote

Bavlı Ö (October 12, 2026) Can Virtual Reality Exercises Support Skill Development While Causing Game Addiction? A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. Pamukkale Journal of Sport Sciences Advanced Online Publication

IEEE

[1]Ö. Bavlı, “Can Virtual Reality Exercises Support Skill Development While Causing Game Addiction? A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study”, Pamukkale J Sport Sci, no. Advanced Online Publication, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.54141/psbd.1864108.

ISNAD

Bavlı, Özhan. “Can Virtual Reality Exercises Support Skill Development While Causing Game Addiction? A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study”. Pamukkale Journal of Sport Sciences. Advanced Online Publication (October 12, 2026). https://doi.org/10.54141/psbd.1864108.

JAMA

1.Bavlı Ö. Can Virtual Reality Exercises Support Skill Development While Causing Game Addiction? A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. Pamukkale J Sport Sci. 2026. doi:10.54141/psbd.1864108.

MLA

Bavlı, Özhan. “Can Virtual Reality Exercises Support Skill Development While Causing Game Addiction? A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study”. Pamukkale Journal of Sport Sciences, no. Advanced Online Publication, Oct. 2026, doi:10.54141/psbd.1864108.

Vancouver

1.Özhan Bavlı. Can Virtual Reality Exercises Support Skill Development While Causing Game Addiction? A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. Pamukkale J Sport Sci. 2026 Oct. 12;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.54141/psbd.1864108