Extended Reality Cognitive and Breathing Training With Eye Tracking for Attention and Stress Regulation in Adolescent Basketball Players

This study examines whether virtual reality (VR) technology can serve as a supplementary training tool for adolescent basketball players. Two types of 6-week VR training were tested alongside regular basketball practice: one targeting attention and decision-making (cognitive training), and one targeting breathing patterns (slow diaphragmatic breathing). A third group continued regular training without any VR component. Participants were basketball players aged 14-17 who trained at least three times per week. Before and after the 6-week period, all participants completed assessments measuring resting heart rate, heart rate variability, breathing function (CO₂ tolerance, breathing pattern), reactive stress tolerance, selective and sustained attention, and pre-competition anxiety. The primary aim was to evaluate feasibility - whether participants were willing to join and complete the sessions, whether the procedures worked as intended in a real training environment, and whether the study design is suitable for a larger future trial. The study was not designed to confirm effectiveness.