Investigating the effects of virtual reality-based imagery applications on psychological and sport performance parameters

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of virtual reality (VR)-supported imagery (VR-SI) applications on sports performance, self-confidence, cognitive anxiety, and somatic anxiety. The research included a total of 20 athletes, divided into an experimental group (n=10) and a control group (n=10). While the experimental group performed VR-supported imagery applications in addition to their regular training, the control group continued with their regular training alone. Data were collected using the "Competitive State Anxiety Inventory," the "Stroop Test," and "Accuracy Rate" for sports performance assessment. Normality assumptions were tested, confirming that the data followed a normal distribution. Subsequently, a 2x2 repeated measures ANOVA test was employed to analyze the main effects of time (pre-test and post-test), group (experimental and control), and their interaction. The findings revealed significant interactions between time and group factors for Stroop Test performance, sports performance, and somatic anxiety levels, indicating that the intervention was more effective in the experimental group compared to the control group. Large effect sizes were observed for Stroop Test performance (η²=0.323) and sports performance (η²=0.383), while somatic anxiety significantly decreased in the experimental group (η²=0.313). Although cognitive anxiety levels showed significant changes over time, no significant differences were found between the groups. On the other hand, a significant interaction was detected for self-confidence levels (η²=0.352), with results favoring the experimental group. These findings demonstrate that VR-SI applications effectively enhance cognitive processes, sports performance, and certain psychological parameters, particularly within the experimental group. In conclusion, this study highlights the positive effects of VR-supported imagery applications on sports performance, self-confidence, and anxiety management. The results underscore the potential of virtual reality technologies as a powerful tool in sports training and performance enhancement processes. Keywords: Imagery, Anxiety, Psychological Performance, Sport Performance, Virtual Reality (VR)