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As youth football players gear up for the upcoming season in Hall County, Georgia, they are getting a tech-enhanced boost thanks to the GIVES program, a pioneering initiative combining virtual reality (VR) with sports training.
Developed by the Emory Sports Performance And Research Center (SPARC) and funded by the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, the program aims to sharpen athletes’ skills and reduce injuries through immersive VR training environments.
Greg Myer, PhD, director of Emory SPARC, emphasizes the benefits of VR in sports training.
"Our mission is to help athletes play well and stay well. Emerging research shows that incorporating virtual reality tools into sport-specific training can significantly enhance both injury prevention and performance."
The GIVES program has been rolled out to all football players across seven high schools in Hall County, with an extension to nine middle schools planned for the next academic year.
The VR training includes football drills that improve decision-making and directional movements, along with reaction games to test sensorimotor skills, mirroring real-game scenarios.
“By engaging athletes in dual-task cognitive and motor training, they increase their cognitive reserve, making them better prepared to respond to the demands of sports performance and competition."
Community involvement is key to the program’s success, with Emory researchers working alongside high school students to facilitate training. Jimmy Lawler, athletic director at Flowery Branch High School, highlighted the community’s enthusiasm.
“The parents are excited for their kids to be part of this program because they recognize the value and reputation of Emory. They know this program can make a real difference for their young athletes."
As the program kicks off with the use of hundreds of Meta Quest VR headsets, it promises a new era of injury prevention and enhanced performance for student athletes in Georgia.
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