The Effect of Elementary School Soccer Instruction Using Virtual Reality Technologies on Students’ Attitudes toward Physical Education and Flow in Class

We analyzed the effects of an elementary school soccer class using virtual reality technology on students’ attitudes toward physical education class and the influence on class flow. The data from 113 elementary school students from Seoul and Gyeonggi-do were analyzed. Students were divided into groups that received either virtual reality or traditional classes (e.g., playing on a playground). Data were analyzed with three-way analyses of variance. Results revealed that students who participated in the virtual reality classes had more confidence, concentration, and experienced more flow (specifically, attention to PE class, integration of ability, challenge, and sense of control) than students who participated in the traditional class. This suggests that virtual reality technology positively affected students’ attitudes and flow. In subsequent research, it is necessary to develop and disseminate a variety of virtual reality sports programs and to conduct studies with students from various grade levels.