Movement kinematic and postural control differences when performing a visuomotor skill in real and virtual environments

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Immersive technologies, like virtual and mixed reality, pose a novel challenge for our sensorimotor systems as they deliver simulated sensory inputs that may not match those of the natural environment. These include reduced fields of view, missing or inaccurate haptic information, and distortions of 3D space; differences that may impact the control of motor actions. For instance, reach-to-grasp movements without end-point haptic feedback are characterised by slower and more exaggerated movements and a general uncertainty about input may induce a more conscious form of movement control. We tested whether a more complex skill like golf putting was also characterised by more consciously controlled movement. In a repeated-measures design, kinematics of the putter swing and postural control were compared between i) real-world putting, ii) VR putting, and iii) VR putting with haptic feedback from a real ball (i.e., mixed reality). Differences in putter swing were observed both between the real-world and VR, and between VR conditions with and without haptic information. Further, clear differences in postural control emerged between real and virtual putting, with both VR conditions characterised by greater postural movement which was more regular and less complex, suggesting a more conscious form of balance control. Conversely, participants actually reported less conscious awareness of their movements in VR. These findings highlight how fundamental movement differences may exist between virtual and natural environments, which may pose challenges for transfer of learning within applications to motor rehabilitation and sport.