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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07379346

Investigation of the Effect of Virtual Reality Assisted Exercise Program on Physical Parameters in Hockey Players

This single-blind randomized controlled trial investigates the effects of a virtual reality-assisted exercise program added to routine hockey training on balance, functional ankle dorsiflexion, agility, and shooting performance in youth hockey players. Participants are randomly assigned to either routine training alone or routine training plus a 6-week virtual reality-assisted exercise intervention delivered via the Nintendo Wii Balance Board. Outcomes are assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and at 3-week follow-up by a blinded assessor.

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Key information

Conditions

Virtual Reality Based Therapy Agility Ankle Dorsiflexion Motor Learning

Age range

16 year–25 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Amasya University

Amasya, Merkez, 05100, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

This study is designed as a single-blind randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of a virtual reality-assisted exercise program on balance, functional ankle dorsiflexion, agility, and shooting performance in youth hockey players. Participants are recruited from a competitive hockey team and randomly assigned to either a control group or an intervention group.

The control group continues routine hockey training, including warm-up exercises, passing drills, offense-defense organization, and penalty-corner practices, three days per week. The intervention group continues the same routine training and additionally participates in a virtual reality-assisted exercise program delivered via the Nintendo Wii Balance Board. The virtual reality intervention includes Obstacle Course, Ski Slalom, and NFL Slapshot games and is administered for 30 minutes per session, three sessions per week, over a 6-week period.

Outcome measures include dynamic balance assessed by the Y Balance Test, agility assessed by the T-run agility test, functional ankle dorsiflexion assessed by the weight-bearing lunge test, and shooting performance assessed using a standardized target-based shooting accuracy protocol. All outcomes are assessed at baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention period, and at a 3-week follow-up. Outcome assessments are performed by a physiotherapist who is blinded to group allocation.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Youth hockey players affiliated with a competitive hockey team
  • Aged between 16 and 25 years
  • Regular participation in routine hockey training
  • Voluntary participation with written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • Presence of an injury preventing participation in routine hockey training
  • Presence of visual or neurological conditions that may interfere with virtual reality-assisted exercises
  • Failure to attend the virtual reality-assisted exercise program for more than two consecutive sessions

Treatment and study plan

Nintendo Wii Balance Board Exergaming

Device

Obstacle Course, Ski Slalom, and NFL Slapshot; 30 minutes/session; 3 sessions/week; 6 weeks.

Primary outcomes

  1. Shooting Performance

    Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention (6 weeks), and 3-week follow-up

    Shooting performance is assessed using a standardized target-based shooting accuracy protocol. Participants perform drag-flick shots toward predefined target zones, and total hit scores are recorded. Higher scores indicate better shooting accuracy.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Dynamic Balance (Y Balance Test)

    Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (6 weeks), and 3-week follow-up

    Dynamic balance is evaluated using the Y Balance Test. Normalized reach distances are recorded for each limb.

  2. Functional Ankle Dorsiflexion (Weight-Bearing Lunge Test)

    Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (6 weeks), and 3-week follow-up

    Functional ankle dorsiflexion is assessed using the weight-bearing lunge test, with dorsiflexion angle measured for both ankles.

  3. Agility (T-run Agility Test)

    Time frame: Baseline, post-intervention (6 weeks), and 3-week follow-up

    Agility is assessed using the T-run agility test, with performance recorded as completion time in seconds.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Hitit University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Investigation of the Effect of Virtual Reality Assisted Exercise Program on Physical Parameters in Hockey Players: Single Blinded Randomize Controlled Trial

Acronym: VRHOCKEY

Important dates

Study start
2020
Primary completion
2023
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jan 30, 2026
Registry last updated
Feb 3, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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