Example of a VR Setup

Video games are just to waste time anymore.  As technology improves it is important to begin to understand the potential uses of virtual reality.  Virtual reality (VR) has been used for therapeutic purposes for years.  Most commonly it is used for anxiety disorders such as PTSD and phobias.

“The advantages of this technology are that unlike playing a video game on a normal desktop computer, the rugby player or athlete is totally immersed in a realistic simulated environment. By presenting stereoscopic images in a head mounted display and tracking head movements, the user’s viewpoint is automatically updated giving a 360 degree virtual experience. This means that the user becomes totally absorbed in their virtual environment encouraging them to interact as they would in the real world.” Link Here

VR can be used to be setup various performance related situations.  It gives the athlete an opportunity to learn how to make decisions in real time, something that is sometimes difficult to do in practice.  In addition, athletes get to practice stress situations and then learn to implement relaxation techniques.  This gives sport psychologists another method to not only teach but also implement stress management techniques in close to realistic performance situations.

Other examples of VR being used:

Virtual Reality Training Could Help First Responders Prepare For Terrorist Attacks

RealityV: Revolutionary Virtual Reality Training Originally Designed For The Army