<p> The incorporation of virtual reality (VR) into the realm of sport injury recovery is a developing area of VR application. The purpose of this study was to collect information from a subpopulation of collegiate athletes (i.e., soccer players) to assess the interest level of VR as an intervention to recovery from injury, and to identify the virtual features athletes want to view and encounter within a sport specific virtual world. The survey included sport-injury, VR interests and preferences, and general demographic questions. VR preference questions were created from Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory, specifically the efficacy sources. Of the 118 participants that were recruited, 87 responses were valid. Responses to survey questions were based on a 10-point Likert-type scale ranging from not interested (1) to extremely interested (10), which revealed a strong interest in using VR for sport performance enhancement (<i>M</i> = 7.86, <i>SD</i> = 2.58) and injury recovery (<i>M</i> = 6.87, <i>SD</i> = 2.65) amongst collegiate soccer athletes. A gender difference between men and women regarding level of interests in VR interventions and preferences questions was detected. An understanding of the elements to include in a sport specific VR environment that reflects the expectations and desires of collegiate athletes is of special importance. Such specific information can capture the elements that can be more conducive for positive sport outcomes, whether for general performance enhancement or returning to pre-injury performance level.</p><p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:10750106 |
| Date | 18 May 2018 |
| Creators | Henry, Makenna I. |
| Publisher | California State University, Long Beach |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
Page generated in 0.0025 seconds