Enhancing Juggling Proficiency Through Slow-Tempo Virtual Reality Training

To investigate the neural mechanisms underpinning motor skill acquisition, this study explores the role of virtual reality (VR) in enhancing three-ball juggling. A novel visuohaptic VR system was developed to facilitate skill learning through a gradual increase in gravity settings, allowing participants to progress from simplified to realistic conditions while refining sequencing ability. Twenty novice jugglers underwent a 10-day training program, with the test group experiencing progressively increasing gravity levels and the control group training under constant gravity. Juggling improvements were assessed through behavioral metrics, with further analysis planned for the multimodal evaluation system, including electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), motion capture, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Results demonstrated that lower gravity in VR significantly enhanced juggling performance, with the test group showing greater improvements than the control group. These findings highlight VR-based training systems’ potential to optimize motor learning by tailoring environmental parameters to participants’ skill levels.