From virtual practice to real-world performance
Abstract
Advances in digital sports training have expanded opportunities to improve motor skill development among junior athletes. Virtual Reality (VR) combined with motion tracking technology provides immersive training environments and real-time biomechanical feedback that may enhance tennis performance. However, evidence regarding adaptive simulation-based VR systems for junior tennis athletes remains limited. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of integrating adaptive VR and motion tracking technology in optimizing motor skills among junior tennis athletes. A quasi-experimental pre-test–post-test control group design was employed involving 60 junior tennis athletes aged 12–18 years from two tennis development centres in Bali, Indonesia. The experimental group (n = 30) received adaptive VR and motion tracking-based training integrated with conventional tennis practice, while the control group (n = 30) followed conventional training only. The intervention was conducted over twelve weeks with three training sessions per week. Motor performance was assessed through stroke accuracy, reaction time, movement coordination, and biomechanical consistency tests. Data were analysed using paired-sample t-tests, independent-sample t-tests, and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) with a significance level of p < .05. The results showed that the experimental group achieved significantly greater improvements than the control group across all variables. Stroke accuracy increased by 24.8%, reaction time improved by 18.6%, movement coordination increased by 21.3%, and biomechanical consistency improved by 19.7%. MANOVA revealed a significant multivariate effect of the intervention on overall motor skill development (Wilks’ λ = 0.71, F(8, 108) = 5.84, p < .001). These findings indicate that adaptive VR and motion tracking-based training effectively enhances motor skill acquisition among junior tennis athletes and can serve as an innovative, evidence-based complement to conventional tennis coaching programs.