Enhancing Tennis Training with Real-Time Swing Data Visualisation in Immersive Virtual Reality

Abstract

Recent advances in immersive technology have opened new possibilities in sports training, especially for activities requiring precise motor skills, such as tennis. In this paper, we present a virtual reality (VR) tennis training system integrating real-time performance feedback through a wearable sensor device. Ten participants wore the sensor on their dominant hand to capture motion data, including swing speed and swing power, while engaging in a VR tennis environment. Initially, participants performed baseline tests without access to performance metrics. In subsequent tests, participants executed similar routines with their swing data displayed in real-time via a VR overlay. Qualitative and quantitative results indicated that real-time visual feedback led to improved performance behaviors and enhanced situational awareness. Some participants exhibited increased swing consistency and strategic decision-making, though improvements in accuracy varied individually. Additionally, subjective feedback highlighted that the immersive experience, combined with instantaneous performance metrics, enhanced player engagement and motivation. These findings illustrate the effectiveness of VR-based data visualisation in sports training, suggesting broader applicability in performance enhancement.