On-Your Marks, Ready? Exploring the User Experience of a VR Application for Runners with Cognitive-Behavioral Influences

Fernando Pedro Cardenas Hernandez, Jan Schneider, Daniele Di Mitri, Hendrik Drachsler

Abstract: Athletes need to train both physical and mental abilities to enhance performance. While technologies such as sensors and actuators have mainly focused on physical training, few solutions support mental training. Virtual reality (VR) technology and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) open new possibilities for developing applications targeting this type of training for athletes. We conducted a formative study to investigate the user experience of integrating CBT techniques into VR technology, focusing on two essential mental factors of running: strategy and motivation. To address these factors, we developed a CBT-influenced VR application. We tested the user experience of our VR application with 25 runners. The results revealed that runners had a positive and valuable experience with the VR application and its associated CBT elements. The perceived importance of race strategy was a key predictor of user experience assessments. This study suggests that VR solutions influenced by CBT are