Investigating the efficacy of brain training by using virtual reality and real shooting on the shooting skills of students of a military university

Background and Aim: High quality, fast-paced and cost-effective training of novice military personnel is a major concern in most armed forces around the world. Hence, implementing psycho-technological findings is important in the armed forces. This study aimed to investigate and compare the efficacy of brain-training (neurofeedback) and virtual-reality training through the use of actual and virtual shooting training in novice shooters of a military university.
Methods: This study adopted a quasi-experimental design, including two experimental and one control group. The study sample included 45 students of a military university whowere randomly selected and assigned to two experimental (virtual and actual shooting training) and one control group. The data collection measure was the total scores obtained by participants after shooting 30 shots at a Siebel positioned ten meters away. In the pre-test, participants practiced shooting (actual shooting training group using a real rifle, and virtual shooting training group using a virtual reality interface). Then participants in both experimental groups (actual and virtual shooting training) received ten sessions of brain training along with shooting training (actual and virtual). T3 alpha band wave reinforcement was the neurofeedback training protocol. The post-test was taken after the training, and follow-up was conducted after one month.
Results: Compared with the control group, neurofeedback training in both experimental groups (actual and virtual shooting-training) improved shooting skill. There was a significant difference in the decrement of the shooting error rate between the pre-test, post-test and pretest-follow up stages (P <0.001). Moreover, Tukey's post hoc analysis demonstrated no significant difference in reduction of shooting error rate in both experimental groups (actual shooting training+ neurofeedback vs. virtual shooting training+ neurofeedback).
Conclusion: Brain training, along with shooting training (virtual and actual), significantly improves participants’ shooting skills. Since the implementation of the interventions (actual and virtual shooting training+neurofeedback) had an equally significant effect in the optimization of the shooting skill, actual and virtual shooting training may be used interchangeably for the training of novice shooters.