Executive Function (Cognition)VRMI-ShootEFNCT07522515
The Effect of Long-term Virtual Reality-based Motor Imagery Exercise Intervention on Executive Performance in Competitive Shooting Athlete
A study testing Virtual Reality Motor Imagery Training, Traditional Exercise Training and Health Education Videos in people with Executive Function (Cognition) and Shooting Performance, run by Xiaodong Cheng at 1 site in China.
Trial summary
This study evaluates whether a 12-week virtual reality-based motor imagery (VRMI) training program can improve executive function and shooting performance in competitive 10-meter air pistol athletes. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 26 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Executive Function (Cognition), Shooting Performance
- What is being tested?
- Virtual Reality Motor Imagery Training, Traditional Exercise Training and Health Education Videos
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 134 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChina
- Study dates
- 1 Jan 2025to 15 Oct 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 20 to 26 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Healthy volunteers aged 20 to 26 years.
- Right-handed.
- Normal or corrected-to-normal vision.
- No history of neurological disorders affecting motor performance.
- No history of psychiatric disorders affecting motor performance.
- No history of musculoskeletal disorders affecting motor performance.
- Willing and able to participate in the 12-week training program.
- Willing and able to follow all study procedures.
Who cannot join
- Current injury affecting upper limb movement.
- Past injury affecting upper limb movement or fine motor skills.
- Sleep disorders during the intervention period.
- Irregular sleep patterns during the intervention period.
- Participation in other structured shooting training programs during the study.
- Participation in other motor imagery training programs during the study.
Show all 9Show fewer
- Expected attendance at less than 80% of training sessions.
- Use of medications that may affect cognitive function.
- Use of medications that may affect motor function.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
China1 site
Capital University of Physical Education and Sports
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100191
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Long-Term Virtual Reality-Based Motor Imagery Exercise Intervention on Executive Performance in Competitive Shooting Athletes
This study evaluates whether a 12-week virtual reality-based motor imagery (VRMI) training program can improve executive function and shooting performance in competitive 10-meter air pistol athletes. The study compares VRMI with traditional exercise training and a control condition consisting of health education videos.
Eligible athletes are assigned to one of the three groups and complete the assigned intervention for 12 weeks. Before and after the intervention, participants complete a virtual reality shooting competition and cognitive testing. The study measures shooting performance, visual attention using eye-tracking, prefrontal cortex activity using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and salivary neurotransmitter levels.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether VRMI is a useful training method for improving attention control, executive function, and performance in precision shooting athletes.
Read the detailed description
Executive function is an important cognitive ability in precision sports such as 10-meter air pistol shooting, where athletes must maintain attention on task-relevant cues while resisting distraction from task-irrelevant information. Motor imagery has been widely used in sport training, but traditional imagery methods may be limited by reduced immersion and lower ecological validity. Virtual reality-based motor imagery (VRMI) may provide a more realistic and engaging training environment by combining immersive virtual scenes with structured imagery practice.
This study is designed to compare the effects of a 12-week VRMI intervention with traditional exercise training and a control condition in competitive shooting athletes. The aim is to examine whether VRMI can provide greater benefits for executive function and shooting-related performance than conventional training approaches.
Participants complete one of three intervention conditions over 12 weeks. The VRMI program uses virtual reality equipment to deliver relaxation, observation, guided motor imagery, and movement practice in a simulated sport environment. The exercise group completes a parallel training program using traditional exercise and video-based methods. The control group watches health education videos for the same duration.
To evaluate the effects of the interventions, participants are assessed before and after the intervention period during a virtual reality shooting competition and cognitive testing procedures. The study examines performance, attention allocation, and brain-related responses associated with executive control in order to better understand the potential value of VRMI as a training strategy for precision sport athletes.
- Being tested
- Virtual Reality Motor Imagery Training, Traditional Exercise Training, Health Education Videos
- Keywords
- Virtual Reality-based Motor Imagery; Athlete; Executive Performance; Shooting
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Virtual Reality Motor Imagery TrainingBehavioural
Participants undergo Virtual Reality Motor Imagery (VRMI) training using Oculus Quest 2 headsets. The intervention includes four stages: progressive muscle relaxation, 3D demonstration of shooting movements, guided motor imagery exercises, and physical rehearsal of shooting techniques. Sessions are 25 minutes per session, three times per week, for 12 weeks. This immersive intervention is designed to enhance shooting performance, executive function, visual attention, and prefrontal cortex activation, distinguishing it from traditional exercise and control interventions.
Traditional Exercise TrainingBehavioural
Participants perform traditional exercise training that includes progressive muscle relaxation, 2D video demonstration of shooting movements, guided motor imagery exercises, and physical rehearsal of shooting techniques. Sessions last 25 minutes per session, three times per week, for 12 weeks. This intervention provides both physical and cognitive practice without immersive VR, aiming to improve shooting performance and executive function, while differing from the VRMI intervention in modality and immersive experience.
Health Education VideosBehavioural
Participants watch educational videos on nutrition and healthy lifestyle. Sessions last 25 minutes per session, three times per week, for 12 weeks. No motor imagery or physical shooting training is included. This control intervention is designed to match contact time with other groups while isolating the effects of VRMI and traditional exercise interventions.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| VRMI Training (Experimental Intervention) | Experimental | Participants receive Virtual Reality Motor Imagery (VRMI) training, which includes progressive muscle relaxation, 3D demonstration, guided motor imagery, and physical practice. Sessions are 25 minutes long, 3 times per week, for 12 weeks. This arm aims to improve shooting performance, executive function, and visual attention. Receives: Behavioral: Virtual Reality Motor Imagery Training |
| Traditional Exercise Training | Experimental | Participants receive traditional exercise training, including progressive muscle relaxation, 2D video demonstration, guided motor imagery, and physical practice. Sessions are 25 minutes long, 3 times per week, for 12 weeks. This arm is designed to improve shooting performance, executive function, and visual attention, but without immersive VR. Receives: Behavioral: Traditional Exercise Training |
| Control Group - Health Education Videos | Experimental | Participants watch educational videos about nutrition and healthy lifestyle. Sessions are 25 minutes long, 3 times per week, for 12 weeks. No physical training is included. This arm serves as a control to distinguish the effects of the experimental interventions. Receives: Behavioral: Health Education Videos |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change from Baseline in Mean Shooting Score in a 10-Meter Air Pistol VR Competition
Mean shooting score measured in a virtual reality 10-meter air pistol competition. Scores are based on 24 shots per session, with each shot scored from 0 to 10.9 points. The mean shooting score ranges from 0 to 10.9, with higher scores indicating better shooting performance. Change from baseline to 12 weeks will be assessed.
Measured: Baseline and 12 weeks
Shooting Performance Score in 10-Meter Air Pistol Competition
The mean shooting score measured in a virtual reality 10-meter air pistol competition. Scores are based on 24 shots per session, with a maximum score of 10.9 per shot. The outcome evaluates the effect of VRMI training, traditional exercise, and control conditions on athletes' precision and consistency.
Measured: Measured at baseline and after 12-week intervention period.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted13 Apr 2026
- Study start1 Jan 2025
- Primary completion1 Aug 2025
- Study completion15 Oct 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Executive Function (Cognition)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- This study uses a parallel design in which participants are randomly assigned to one of three intervention arms: VRMI Training (Virtual Reality Motor Imagery), Traditional Exercise Training (Exe), or a Control Group receiving Health Education Videos. Each participant receives only one intervention for a duration of 12 weeks, with three sessions per week and 25 minutes per session. The primary purpose of the study is to compare the effects of these interventions on shooting performance, executive function, visual attention, and prefrontal cortex hemodynamics and neurotransmitter levels. Randomization is performed using a computer-generated sequence to ensure balanced group assignment and minimize selection bias. Due to the nature of the interventions, participants cannot be blinded; however, outcome assessors and data analysts are blinded to group allocation to reduce potential bias in assessment.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 134 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Xiaodong Cheng
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Xiaodong Cheng, Xi'an Medical University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07522515
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2020A126
- Acronym
- VRMI-ShootEF
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 1 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 13 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data (IPD) from this study will not be shared due to privacy considerations and the absence of a formal data-sharing agreement. The study involves detailed personal health and performance data of a limited number of participants, and sharing could risk identification of individuals.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Long-Term Virtual Reality-Based Motor Imagery Exercise Intervention on Executive Performance in Competitive Shooting Athletes
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07522515
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- VRMI-ShootEF / 2020A126
- Keywords
- Virtual Reality-based Motor Imagery; Athlete; Executive Performance; Shooting
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 134 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Xiaodong ChengUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jan 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Oct 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 13 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study evaluates whether a 12-week virtual reality-based motor imagery (VRMI) training program can improve executive function and shooting performance in competitive 10-meter air pistol athletes. The study compares VRMI with traditional exercise training and a control condition consisting of health education videos.
Eligible athletes are assigned to one of the three groups and complete the assigned intervention for 12 weeks. Before and after the intervention, participants complete a virtual reality shooting competition and cognitive testing. The study measures shooting performance, visual attention using eye-tracking, prefrontal cortex activity using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and salivary neurotransmitter levels.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether VRMI is a useful training method for improving attention control, executive function, and performance in precision shooting athletes.
Detailed description
Executive function is an important cognitive ability in precision sports such as 10-meter air pistol shooting, where athletes must maintain attention on task-relevant cues while resisting distraction from task-irrelevant information. Motor imagery has been widely used in sport training, but traditional imagery methods may be limited by reduced immersion and lower ecological validity. Virtual reality-based motor imagery (VRMI) may provide a more realistic and engaging training environment by combining immersive virtual scenes with structured imagery practice.
This study is designed to compare the effects of a 12-week VRMI intervention with traditional exercise training and a control condition in competitive shooting athletes. The aim is to examine whether VRMI can provide greater benefits for executive function and shooting-related performance than conventional training approaches.
Participants complete one of three intervention conditions over 12 weeks. The VRMI program uses virtual reality equipment to deliver relaxation, observation, guided motor imagery, and movement practice in a simulated sport environment. The exercise group completes a parallel training program using traditional exercise and video-based methods. The control group watches health education videos for the same duration.
To evaluate the effects of the interventions, participants are assessed before and after the intervention period during a virtual reality shooting competition and cognitive testing procedures. The study examines performance, attention allocation, and brain-related responses associated with executive control in order to better understand the potential value of VRMI as a training strategy for precision sport athletes.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- This study uses a parallel design in which participants are randomly assigned to one of three intervention arms: VRMI Training (Virtual Reality Motor Imagery), Traditional Exercise Training (Exe), or a Control Group receiving Health Education Videos. Each participant receives only one intervention for a duration of 12 weeks, with three sessions per week and 25 minutes per session. The primary purpose of the study is to compare the effects of these interventions on shooting performance, executive function, visual attention, and prefrontal cortex hemodynamics and neurotransmitter levels. Randomization is performed using a computer-generated sequence to ensure balanced group assignment and minimize selection bias. Due to the nature of the interventions, participants cannot be blinded; however, outcome assessors and data analysts are blinded to group allocation to reduce potential bias in assessment.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| VRMI Training (Experimental Intervention) | Experimental | Behavioral: Virtual Reality Motor Imagery TrainingParticipants receive Virtual Reality Motor Imagery (VRMI) training, which includes progressive muscle relaxation, 3D demonstration, guided motor imagery, and physical practice. Sessions are 25 minutes long, 3 times per week, for 12 weeks. This arm aims to improve shooting performance, executive function, and visual attention. |
| Traditional Exercise Training | Experimental | Behavioral: Traditional Exercise TrainingParticipants receive traditional exercise training, including progressive muscle relaxation, 2D video demonstration, guided motor imagery, and physical practice. Sessions are 25 minutes long, 3 times per week, for 12 weeks. This arm is designed to improve shooting performance, executive function, and visual attention, but without immersive VR. |
| Control Group - Health Education Videos | Experimental | Behavioral: Health Education VideosParticipants watch educational videos about nutrition and healthy lifestyle. Sessions are 25 minutes long, 3 times per week, for 12 weeks. No physical training is included. This arm serves as a control to distinguish the effects of the experimental interventions. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 to 26 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Healthy volunteers aged 20 to 26 years.
- Right-handed.
- Normal or corrected-to-normal vision.
- No history of neurological disorders affecting motor performance.
- No history of psychiatric disorders affecting motor performance.
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Current injury affecting upper limb movement.
- Past injury affecting upper limb movement or fine motor skills.
- Sleep disorders during the intervention period.
- Irregular sleep patterns during the intervention period.
- Participation in other structured shooting training programs during the study.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Reality Motor Imagery TrainingParticipants undergo Virtual Reality Motor Imagery (VRMI) training using Oculus Quest 2 headsets. The intervention includes four stages: progressive muscle relaxation, 3D demonstration of shooting movements, guided motor imagery exercises, and physical rehearsal of shooting techniques. Sessions are 25 minutes per session, three times per week, for 12 weeks. This immersive intervention is designed to enhance shooting performance, executive function, visual attention, and prefrontal cortex activation, distinguishing it from traditional exercise and control interventions. | Behavioural | VRMI Training (Experimental Intervention) |
| Traditional Exercise TrainingParticipants perform traditional exercise training that includes progressive muscle relaxation, 2D video demonstration of shooting movements, guided motor imagery exercises, and physical rehearsal of shooting techniques. Sessions last 25 minutes per session, three times per week, for 12 weeks. This intervention provides both physical and cognitive practice without immersive VR, aiming to improve shooting performance and executive function, while differing from the VRMI intervention in modality and immersive experience. | Behavioural | Traditional Exercise Training |
| Health Education VideosParticipants watch educational videos on nutrition and healthy lifestyle. Sessions last 25 minutes per session, three times per week, for 12 weeks. No motor imagery or physical shooting training is included. This control intervention is designed to match contact time with other groups while isolating the effects of VRMI and traditional exercise interventions. | Behavioural | Control Group - Health Education Videos |
Primary outcome
Change from Baseline in Mean Shooting Score in a 10-Meter Air Pistol VR Competition
Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks
Mean shooting score measured in a virtual reality 10-meter air pistol competition. Scores are based on 24 shots per session, with each shot scored from 0 to 10.9 points. The mean shooting score ranges from 0 to 10.9, with higher scores indicating better shooting performance. Change from baseline to 12 weeks will be assessed.
Shooting Performance Score in 10-Meter Air Pistol Competition
Time frame: Measured at baseline and after 12-week intervention period.
The mean shooting score measured in a virtual reality 10-meter air pistol competition. Scores are based on 24 shots per session, with a maximum score of 10.9 per shot. The outcome evaluates the effect of VRMI training, traditional exercise, and control conditions on athletes' precision and consistency.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 13 Apr 2026.
- Related InfoLink provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data (IPD) from this study will not be shared due to privacy considerations and the absence of a formal data-sharing agreement. The study involves detailed personal health and performance data of a limited number of participants, and sharing could risk identification of individuals.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Virtual Reality Motor Imagery Training, Traditional Exercise Training and Health Education Videos in people with Executive Function (Cognition) and Shooting Performance, run by Xiaodong Cheng at 1 site in China.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in China. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change from Baseline in Mean Shooting Score in a 10-Meter Air Pistol VR Competition (time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 13 Apr 2026.