No Disease
Conditions
Keywords
Virtual reality, Exergaming, Beat Saber, Youth Basketball, Shoulder Strenght, Children, Active Video Games
Brief summary
This randomized study compared two types of virtual reality gaming in male basketball players aged 10 to 12 years. The study examined whether a structured Beat Saber exergaming program produced greater improvements in isometric muscle force than self-selected virtual reality games. Eighty participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Both groups continued their usual basketball training three times per week for three months and completed 30 minutes of virtual reality gaming after each basketball session. One group followed a standardized Beat Saber program, while the other group selected the virtual reality games they wished to play. Peak isometric force was measured before and after the three-month intervention during a deadlift and four shoulder movements: flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction. Adverse events, including dizziness and intervention-related injuries, were also recorded.
Detailed description
This was a three-month, two-arm, individually randomized controlled trial conducted at the physiotherapy clinic of the OH Sport Complex in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Participants were healthy, physically active male basketball players aged 10 to 12 years. A total of 87 children were assessed for eligibility. Seven were excluded before randomization: one did not meet the inclusion criteria and six declined participation. The remaining 80 participants were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either the structured Beat Saber group or the self-selected virtual reality gaming group. Both groups completed three approximately 60-minute basketball training sessions per week. Each session included a warm-up, technical and shooting drills, one-on-one and small-sided game activities, and full-team basketball play. After basketball training, both groups completed three 30-minute virtual reality sessions per week for three months. Virtual reality exposure was matched between groups for frequency and session duration. Participants assigned to the experimental group completed a standardized Beat Saber program using a Meta Quest 3 headset. Beat Saber required repeated rapid upper-limb movements together with trunk and lower-limb actions, including squatting and side-stepping. Participants assigned to the active comparison group completed self-selected virtual reality games. The games were not standardized according to title, movement pattern, or physical demand. The main difference between the groups was therefore the structure and movement demands of the virtual reality activity rather than the amount of virtual reality exposure. Peak isometric force was assessed at baseline and after three months using the MAT Muscle Meter dynamometer. Five efficacy outcomes were evaluated: peak isometric deadlift force and peak isometric shoulder force during flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction. Three maximal voluntary isometric contractions were completed for each movement, and the highest value was retained for analysis. No single primary outcome was prospectively designated. The five force outcomes were treated as an exploratory family of efficacy outcomes. Harm outcomes included dizziness, intervention-related injuries, and discontinuation because of adverse events. All 80 randomized participants completed the intervention and post-intervention testing. Mild, temporary dizziness was reported by six participants during the first week of virtual reality exposure. No serious adverse events, intervention-related injuries, withdrawals, or losses to follow-up occurred.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALStructured Virtual Reality Exergaming
Participants completed a standardized Beat Saber virtual reality exergaming program using a Meta Quest 3 headset. Sessions were performed three times per week for three months, with each session lasting 30 minutes and taking place after basketball training. Gameplay required repeated rapid upper-limb movements combined with trunk and lower-limb actions, including squatting and side-stepping.
BEHAVIORALSelf-Selected Virtual Reality Gaming
Participants completed self-selected virtual reality gaming three times per week for three months. Each session lasted 30 minutes and took place after basketball training. Participants selected the games they wished to play. Game titles, movement patterns, and physical demands were not standardized.
Sponsors
Babes-Bolyai University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Masking description
This was an open-label study. Participants could not be masked because the assigned virtual reality activities were visibly different. Staff delivering the interventions and the principal investigator were aware of group allocation. The principal investigator also conducted the outcome assessments and was not masked. The groups trained separately and were not informed about the other group's detailed intervention protocol to reduce contamination.
Intervention model description
Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to two parallel intervention groups. One group completed a standardized Beat Saber exergaming program, and the other completed self-selected virtual reality gaming. Both groups continued regular basketball training and received matched virtual reality exposure for three months.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
10 Years to 12 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Male children aged 10 to 12 years * Clinically healthy, with no known underlying disease or medical condition * Regular participation in basketball training * Physically able to safely complete the basketball training, virtual reality sessions, and strength assessments * Written informed consent provided by a parent or legal guardian * Written assent provided by the participant
Exclusion criteria
* Absence of written parental or legal guardian consent * Absence of participant assent * Any medical, neurological, musculoskeletal, or other condition that could limit participation in physical activity or prevent safe completion of the study procedures
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change From Baseline in Peak Isometric Deadlift Force | Baseline and immediately after the 3-month intervention | Peak isometric deadlift force was measured in kilogram-force (kgf) using the MAT Muscle Meter. Participants performed three maximal voluntary isometric contractions using a fixed deadlift handle, with approximately 60 seconds of rest between attempts. The highest recorded value was retained. Change was calculated as the post-intervention value minus the baseline value. |
| Change From Baseline in Peak Isometric Shoulder Flexion Force | Baseline and immediately after the 3-month intervention | Peak isometric shoulder flexion force was measured in kilogram-force (kgf) using the MAT Muscle Meter. Participants performed three maximal voluntary isometric contractions in a standardized seated position, with approximately 60 seconds of rest between attempts. The highest recorded value was retained. Change was calculated as the post-intervention value minus the baseline value. |
| Change From Baseline in Peak Isometric Shoulder Abduction Force | Baseline and immediately after the 3-month intervention | Peak isometric shoulder abduction force was measured in kilogram-force (kgf) using the MAT Muscle Meter. Participants performed three maximal voluntary isometric contractions in a standardized seated position with the shoulder abducted to 90° in the scapular plane. Approximately 60 seconds of rest were allowed between attempts. The highest recorded value was retained. Change was calculated as the post-intervention value minus the baseline value. |
| Change From Baseline in Peak Isometric Shoulder Extension Force | Baseline and immediately after the 3-month intervention | Peak isometric shoulder extension force was measured in kilogram-force (kgf) using the MAT Muscle Meter. Participants performed three maximal voluntary isometric contractions in a standardized seated position with the shoulder flexed to 90°. Approximately 60 seconds of rest were allowed between attempts. The highest recorded value was retained. Change was calculated as the post-intervention value minus the baseline value. |
| Change From Baseline in Peak Isometric Shoulder Adduction Force | Baseline and immediately after the 3-month intervention | Peak isometric shoulder adduction force was measured in kilogram-force (kgf) using the MAT Muscle Meter. Participants performed three maximal voluntary isometric contractions in a standardized seated position with the shoulder abducted to 90° in the scapular plane. Approximately 60 seconds of rest were allowed between attempts. The highest recorded value was retained. Change was calculated as the post-intervention value minus the baseline value. |
Countries
Romania
Outcome results
None listed