情報処理学会 インタラクション2026

The objective of this study is to provide insights into the application of virtual reality (VR) technologies to sports, specifically in boxing. In particular, we investigate the distance (referred to as the interpersonal distance ) between the opponents that enables one of them to hit the other using a fully extended arm to the midpoint of the chest. Initially, a baseline measurement of the interpersonal distance was conducted for each participant. Then, two VR avatars with long and short arms, respectively, were employed inside a VR-based boxing training. After using one of the avatars, we conducted another measurement of the interpersonal distance to investigate possible changes in the perception of the participants to punch their opponent. At a later date the other avatar would also be used. Although qualitative, the results of this study showed that long arms increased the interpersonal distance, whereas short arms did not or slightly affect this distance; additionally, the results indicated how VR can alter this distance. These findings can be useful for future use in the VR training of boxers regarding the interpersonal distance in the boxing ring.