You can experience almost anything in virtual reality. You can travel around the world. Even the Minnesota Vikings launched a virtual reality app with Oculus to engage with their fans and put them right in the middle of the action. The Vikings even incorporated into quarterback Teddy Bridgewater’s rehabilitation process. Bridgewater suffered a gruesome and had not played in a game since the 2016 preseason. The had a totally different offense scheme, so to get practice reps while he was rehabbing, he utilized the team’s virtual reality system to stay up to date with the new offensive scheme.
The Minnesota Vikings partnered with STRIVR Labs in 2015 for their immersive training solutions for football players. The technology is essentially a viewfinder that uses video from a camera that is attached to players during practice. This type of virtual reality technology provides athletes with the ability to get extra reps in without having to be on the practice field. It’s another virtual rep to keep the player sharp and in the game, while they are recovering from their injury.
Virtual Reality has since played a crucial role in helping football players like Teddy Bridgewater prepare for action. Team utilize 360-degree cameras to capture practice, which then allows the player to put on a headset and go through immersive first-person film of the practice.
Are the athletes throwing the ball while wearing the virtual reality headset? Are they working up a sweat like they normally do during practice? Certainly, the answer is no to both questions. The players are doing things at 20 percent speed, going through the mental mechanics and physical mechanics that make their brains feel as if they are there.
This technology is nothing new, and is quickly gaining popularity among NFL teams. The Minnesota Vikings were the fourth team to start using the technology, and there have since been more teams linked to the programs. Even in the college game, university athletic departments are embracing the new technology to help student-athletes improve their game and recover from their injuries. Whether it is STRIVR or their competitor EON sports.
As players focus on the physical rehab of their bodies and fans wonder how long it will take for their favorite players injury to heal, it is import for athletes to work on the mental rehab as well. Virtual Reality provides athletes with the opportunity to experience real-game action that involves keeping their on the mechanics, movements and tactics active. Look for this to become more widespread for teams and athletes as they continue to use cutting edge technology to improve their performance.
