Virtual Reality Interventions for Enhancing Dynamic Balance and Postural Control in Athletes: A Systematic Review

Background: Dynamic balance and postural control are critical for athletic performance and injury prevention. Virtual Reality (VR) training has emerged as an innovative method to enhance these components through immersive, task-specific, and feedback-driven interventions.

Objective: This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of VR-based interventions on dynamic balance and postural control in athletes.

Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search across five databases (2017–2025) identified 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 315 participants. Studies using immersive, semi-immersive, and non-immersive VR were analyzed, with methodological quality assessed via the PEDro scale.

Results: Most studies reported significant improvements in balance metrics (e.g., Y-Balance Test, Biodex Index), with VR interventions proving equivalent or superior to conventional methods. Interventions with multisensory feedback (auditory/vibrotactile) and treadmill-based VR showed enhanced sensorimotor adaptation and reduced postural sway.

Conclusion: VR interventions are effective for improving balance and postural control in athletes, offering interactive, engaging, and adaptable alternatives to traditional methods. However, standardized protocols and long-term outcome studies are warranted to validate their widespread application in sports training and rehabilitation.