Ederson, the star goalkeeper for Manchester City, is known for his exceptional performances on the field. Last season, he played a crucial role in helping Pep Guardiola’s side secure the Treble. However, Ederson is not one to rest on his laurels and is constantly looking for innovative ways to improve his game. One such method he has adopted is the use of virtual reality (VR) technology to train his brain and enhance his performances.
With Manchester City and the Brazilian national team often dominating possession and being on the attack for much of the game, Ederson faces the challenge of maintaining concentration throughout the match. He knows that at any moment, he could be called upon to make a crucial save. To address this, Ederson has turned to VR glasses to assist with cognitive work, aiming to improve his attention, reaction time, and vision.
To facilitate this unique training approach, Ederson has partnered with Volt Sports Science, a company specializing in VR exercises. Tulio Horta, the chief of Volt, explains that the main focus of cognitive work is to stimulate Ederson’s brain, enhancing his capacity for attention and perception of the space he occupies on the field. By doing so, Ederson can process different information more effectively and make better decisions during games.
Ederson dedicates two training sessions per week specifically to VR exercises, which he performs away from both Manchester City and Brazil settings. These exercises are often integrated between sets of strength workouts. The purpose is to condition Ederson’s brain to remain engaged and focused even after making a save or completing an action. By training his brain not to relax, Ederson aims to stay switched on throughout the entire match.
The use of VR technology in sports training is not entirely new. It has been employed in various disciplines to enhance performance and improve cognitive abilities. In Ederson’s case, VR serves as a tool to sharpen his concentration and decision-making skills on the field. By immersing himself in virtual scenarios, he can simulate game situations and train his brain to react quickly and accurately.
Ederson has expressed his satisfaction with the results of this unique training method. In an interview with Globo, he acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining focus for the full 90 minutes of a match. However, he emphasized that cognitive work has been instrumental in helping him concentrate and improve his performance. Ederson’s dedication to this training approach is evident in his consistent performances and the three clean sheets he has kept in the 11 matches he has played this season.
The use of VR technology in sports training is likely to become more prevalent in the future. Its ability to create realistic and immersive experiences provides athletes with a valuable tool to enhance their skills and performance. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see more athletes, like Ederson, incorporating VR into their training routines.
In conclusion, Ederson’s use of virtual reality technology to train his brain is a testament to his commitment to improving his performances. By partnering with Volt Sports Science and engaging in VR exercises, Ederson aims to enhance his attention, reaction time, and decision-making abilities on the field. As he continues to utilize this innovative training method, it is clear that Ederson is dedicated to reaching new heights in his career as a goalkeeper.