Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Effective decision-making in ball games requires the ability to convert positional information from a first-person perspective into a bird's-eye view. To address this need, we developed a virtual reality (VR)-based training system designed to enhance spatial cognition. METHODS: Using a head-mounted virtual reality display, participants engaged in tasks where they tracked multiple moving objects in a virtual space and reproduced their positions from a bird's-eye perspective. The system simulated game-like scenarios to systematically train this cognitive skill. Participants' performance was assessed before and after the training. RESULTS: The experimental results revealed significant improvements in spatial accuracy and cognitive ability among participants after using the system. These enhancements were measured by their ability to accurately convert first-person positional data into a bird's-eye perspective. DISCUSSION: The findings suggest that the VR-based system effectively enhances perceptual-cognitive skills critical for team sports and other tasks requiring advanced spatial awareness. This training method holds potential for broader applications in spatially demanding activities.