Moving Smarter and Better with XR Technologies
This is an introduction of the NWA Project "Moving Smarter and Better with XR" initiated earlier this year as part of the Dutch National Research Agenda. This project aims to explore the integration of Extended Reality (XR) technologies in the field of sports.
Focus and Scope
The project primarily focuses on the role that XR can play in enhancing sports performance. Utilizing a case study approach, the project explores how advancements in XR technologies can offer innovative solutions for athletes and sports organizations.
Initial Sports Use Cases
The project started with preliminary studies into three specific sports: Volleyball, BMX, and Archery. These initial use cases were selected in consultation with NOC*NSF, a governing body in the Netherlands for sports, to ensure that the project would have a focused and meaningful impact.
Stakeholder Engagement
Over 80 stakeholders from the XR industry are active in The Netherlands. The breadth of the industry is indicative of the significant interest and potential seen in the intersection of these two fields.
Get access to the interactive network of the XR industry in the Netherlands
Matchmaking Day
In June 2023 the project team hosted a Matchmaking Day to facilitate discussions among stakeholders from various sectors, including industry, sports, and academia. The event served as a platform for sharing insights and ideas about the potential applications of XR in sports, and what directions “Moving Smarter” could take in the field of sports.
Evaluation and Selection: Performing Under Pressure
After careful consideration and evaluation, one of the three sports use cases was selected for further exploration: "Performing Under Pressure”. This topic is particularly relevant to the sport of Archery, where athletes are required to perform under stressful conditions and time constraints. Learn more about the use case
The findings in this area could have broader applications beyond sports, offering insights into human performance under pressure in various societal contexts.
Next Steps
The next steps in this research initiative will involve a focused approach to understanding how "Performing Under Pressure" can be studied and optimized within the context of Archery, using XR technologies. Currently the project team is in the process of developing virtual environments that can simulate competition-like stress levels.
Stakeholders from the XR industry are invited to provide feedback and prototypes that help Olympic Archers to perform under pressure.