Virtual reality (VR) has been successfully applied to a broad range of training domains; however, to date there is little research investigating its benefits for sport training. In this work we investigated the feasibility and usefulness of using VR for two sport subdomains: sport psychology and sport biomechanics. In terms of sport psychology training, high-fidelity VR systems could be used to display realistic 3D environments to induce anxiety, allowing resilience-training systems to prepare athletes for real-world, high-pressure situations. For sport biomechanical training, we could take advantage of the 3D tracking available in VR systems to capture and display full-body movements in real-time, and could design flexible 3D environments to foster a valuable and engaging training experience. To address using VR for sport psychology training, in this work we present a case study and a controlled experiment. Our work addresses whether a VR system can induce anxiety in participants, and if so, how this anxiety impacts performance, and what the implications are for VR system design. sing VR for sport biomechanical training, in this work we present a case study describing the development of a VR-based jump training application. Our work addresses whether an effective VR biomechanical training system can be achieved using standard computer equipment and commodity tracking devices, and how we should design the user experience of a VR sport training system to effectively deliver biomechanical principles. / Master of Science

Athletes competing in the unarmed combat sport of mixed martial arts (MMA) are at an increased risk for long-term neurological consequences due to repetitive head trauma. Mass differentials as well as reported differences in fight styles between Lightweight and Heavyweight fighters in MMA may affect head impact kinematics creating different levels of head injury risk. Factors that influence the risk for head injury include the frequency, magnitude and interval of head impacts. The purpose of this study was to compare differences in frequency, frequency distribution of impact magnitudes, and time interval between head impacts per match between Lightweight and Heavyweight fighters in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Head impacts of 60 fighters were documented from 15 Lightweight and 15 Heavyweight MMA fight videos. Impact type, frequency, and interval were recorded for each fighter, followed by the reconstruction of 345 exemplar impacts in the laboratory using a Hybrid III headform and finite element modeling to determine impact magnitudes. Next, head impacts (punches, kicks, knees and elbows) from fight videos were visually estimated to determine their corresponding magnitude range and establish the frequency distribution of impact magnitudes. The study revealed no significant differences in overall impact frequency and interval between Lightweight and Heavyweight fighters. The frequency distribution of different impact magnitudes was significantly different, with Lightweights sustaining significantly more Very Low, and High magnitude impacts. Overall, both Lightweight and Heavyweight MMA fighters sustain similar impact characteristics as other high-risk athletes including professional boxers and football players. Understanding the different factors that create brain trauma allows for the monitoring, identification, and protection of higher-risk athletes within these two weight classes.

Padel involves repetitive and high-velocity upper limb movements, which can be associated with overuse injuries. There is a lack of evidence regarding injury prevention in padel and a necessity of developing and evaluating ways to monitor workload. The objective of this study was to use a new mobile measurement method (Delsys Trigno Light System) to evaluate muscle activation and movement of the forearm during padel. The percentage of MVC (%MVC) of Mm. Extensor carpi radialis (ECR) longus et brevis and M. flexor carpi radialis (FCR), angular velocities of the wrist and co-contraction between ECR and FCR were measured and analyzed. The main results showed a relatively low general muscle activation; 1.42 (0.44 – 2.33) %MVC of FCR and 8.02 (4.23 – 12.62) %MVC of ECR, with significantly greater muscle activation of the ECR than the FCR (p<0.001), high angular wrist velocities; 17.0 (13.2 – 34.6) °/s, and a weak positive correlation for co-contraction with peak values of FCR > 0.15 V and concurrent ECR, Spearman’s r = 0.326, p<0.001 and peak values of ECR > 0,15 V and concurrent FCR, Spearman’s r = 0.181, p<0.001. This study indicates that this mobile measurement method may be used to evaluate biomechanical workload on the forearm during padel play and may serve as an injury preventive tool.