In August of last year an American Football player named Teddy Bridgewater suffered a catastrophic injury that almost cost him the use of his leg. This week saw him return to the field after a gruelling rehabilitation process that was aided by VR technology.
While physical rehabilitation is vital, many doctors and scientists have begun to note the importance of mental rehabilitation, something that can sometimes be overlooked. In the case of athletes, this involves keeping the mind on the mechanics, movements and tactics involved.
Bridgewater was using a VR system developed by STRIVR, a company that has formed partnerships with many sports teams, including Bridgewater’s team, the Minnesota Vikings. The system uses 360-degree cameras to capture practice sessions, then players can don a VR headset to analyse the practice in an immersive way.
“I would definitely steal reps with the virtual reality that we do around here,” Bridgewater told reporters from KARE 11 news channel, “Especially when I wasn’t practicing, I would go in and watch Wednesday’s practice, Thursday’s practice and Friday’s practice and, you know, steal those virtual reps and it helped.”
“They actually have a room at the facility to where a player can move around a little bit and feel as if he’s on the field,” STRIVR CEO Derek Belch told KARE 11, “Is he throwing a ball? Is he sweating? No, but he’s doing things at 10, 20 percent speed, going through the mental mechanics along with the physical mechanics that made his brain feel like he’s there.”
Source: VR Focus