News

Recently completed theses:

• Alexander Schwadtke: Simulation des Y-Balance Tests in einer Standaloe-Mixed-Reality Applikation [Simulation of the Y-Balance Test in a Standalone Mixed Reality Application] (Master's Thesis, 07.08.2025)
• Luisa Peintner: Untersuchung der Inhibitionsfähigkeit bei visuellen peripheren Reizen in der virtuellen Realität anhand der Simon Task [Investigation of the ability to inhibit visual peripheral stimuli in virtual reality using the Simon Task] (Master's Thesis, 08.07.2025)
• Florian Klenk: Überprüfung der Hauptgütekriterien von ausgewählten sportmotorischen Tests in der virtuellen Realität [Evaluation of the Main Quality Criteria of Selected Sport Motor Tests in Virtual Reality] (Master's Thesis, 10.06.2025)
• German Krämer: Empirische Analyse des Reaktionsverhaltens und der Inhibitionsfähigkeitt auf bewegte Objekte im peripheren Blickfeld in der virtuellen Realität [Empirical analysis of reaction behavior and inhibition ability to moving objects in the peripheral field of view in virtual reality] (Master's Thesis, 26.02.2025)
• Mark Schmitz: Effekte peripherer visueller Distraktoren auf die inhibitorische Kontrolle und die Reaktionszeit in einer VR-Umgebung [Effects of peripheral visual distractors on inhibitory control and reaction time in a VR environment] (Bachelor's Thesis , 05.02.2025)

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XVIII Congresso international de Mutricidade Humana

From October 22 to 24, 2025, the XVIII Congresso Internacional de Motricidade Humana (International Congress on Human Motricity) took place in Aracaju, Brazil.
Kerstin Witte represented our research group and delivered a keynote lecture entitled “Application of Virtual Reality in Sport – Possibilities and Limits.”

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1st International Congress HUMAN in MOTION (ICHM)

A small group from the Department of Sport and Technology / Movement Science attended the 1st International Congress Human in Motion (ICHM) in Portorož, Slovenia, from September 29 to October 1, 2025.
From our VR team, German Krämer and Kerstin Witte participated.
German Krämer presented a talk on reactions and inhibition behavior to moving objects in peripheral vision within a VR ball-catching scenario (Reaction and Inhibition Behavior to Moving Objects in the Peripheral Vision in a Virtual Reality Ball Catch Scenario). This was his first presentation at an international conference, providing him with valuable experience.
Kerstin Witte was invited as one of the keynote speakers and gave a talk on the use of virtual reality to support sports activities (Applications of Virtual Reality to Support Sports Activity).

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27th Sport Science University Conference of the dvs

Hannes Loerwald and Dan Bürger attended the 27th University Conference of the German Association of Sport Science (dvs) in Münster, held from September 16 to 19, 2025.
Dan Bürger presented a talk on The Influence of Additional Cues on Movement Time in Reaction Tasks in Virtual Reality, while Hannes Loerwald spoke about The Development of a Haptic Feedback System for Sport Science Applications in Virtual Reality.
Throughout the conference, several other contributions highlighted the use of virtual reality as a research tool, fostering valuable professional exchange and discussion.

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15th International Symposium on Computer Science in Sport

From September 12 to 15, 2025, the 15th Symposium of the International Association of Computer Science in Sport (IACSS) took place at Gakugei University in Tokyo, Japan.
Our research group was represented by Sebastian Merker, who presented a talk on the influence of head-mounted displays on gymnastics performance in virtual reality (Supporting Gymnastics Training with Virtual Reality: The Impact of Head-Mounted Displays).
In addition, Kerstin Witte delivered the IACSS Special Lecture on the use of virtual reality to support motor learning and anticipation training (Applications of Virtual Reality to Support Motor Learning and Anticipation Training).
The conference provided valuable opportunities for exchange with international researchers and helped establish contacts for potential future collaborations.

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Lange Nacht der Wissenschaft 2025

On Saturday, June 14th, 2025, the Long Night of Science took place across nearly all of Magdeburg. Numerous institutions opened their doors and offered exciting insights into current research projects late into the night. Our VR team was also part of the event, showcasing how virtual reality can be used in sports science. While German took charge of the hands-on experience and allowed visitors to immerse themselves in his interactive ball-catching scenario, Stefan and Dan presented recent study results and provided insights into the creation of virtual environments.

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University Open Day 2025

On May 24, 2025, the university open day took place, during which colleagues from the field of sports science presented their degree programs and demonstrated selected measurement techniques. Our VR research group was also present and showcased reaction tests in a virtual environment. 

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Girls'Day 2025

On April 3, 2025, Girls’Day took place. Our research group also took part and gave 7th grade students an exciting look into the work of sports scientists. Together, they created virtual objects, programmed a virtual jump test, and compared jump heights between the real world and virtual reality.

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18th Symposium of the dvs section "Motor Behavior"

From March 19 to 21, 2025, the 18th dvs-Sportmotorik Symposium was held at TU Munich. Our research group was once again represented with several contributions. Kerstin Witte led a working group on Intervention Effects in Older Adults. Stefan Pastel presented his talk on Evaluation of a Self-Developed Sport-Motor Test Battery in Virtual Reality, while Dan Bürger gave a presentation on Retrospective Analysis of Mental Fatigue’s Influence on Reaction Times to Peripheral Stimuli in Virtual Reality.

The symposium featured numerous exciting contributions, many of which also utilized virtual reality as a research tool. This led to engaging discussions and valuable professional exchanges.

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New Research Topic on Virtual Reality in Sports Training

A Research Topic of our working group will be hosted in Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, supported by Chief Editor Dr. Dave Collins.

Virtual reality (VR) is transforming sports training by creating immersive environments that enhance cognitive skills such as decision-making, motor responses, and perceptual accuracy. However, many questions remain about its practical integration and effectiveness across different sports contexts.

This Research Topic explores how VR can be optimized for athlete and coach development. We welcome contributions on topics such as VR’s role in coaching strategies, its impact on decision-making, and comparisons with traditional training methods.

Key Deadlines:

• Abstract Submission: 30 May 2025
• Manuscript Submission: 28 November 2025 (flexible deadlines for confirmed contributors)

More information and submissioncan be found here.