Immersive and Embodied Learning in Motor Training: Opportunities and Risks

Abstract

Immersive learning environments increasingly incorporate neurophysiological measures such as EEG to capture learner states and adapt instruction. Virtual embodiment, where learners inhabit avatars performing motor tasks, has been shown to accelerate skill acquisition in sports, rehabilitation, and clinical training contexts. This paper synthesizes recent findings on embodied avatars in motor learning and virtual rehabilitation, drawing on quantitative improvements in motor skill performance and neurophysiological markers of engagement and recovery. We highlight opportunities for using neurophysiological measures to personalize immersive rehabilitation, while also considering risks related to AI-driven neuroanalytics and the ubiquity of wearable sensing technologies. The work presented here is part of a broader project that seeks to tackle the challenges of developing ecologically valid, intensive, and personalized VR-based rehabilitation frameworks, with the goal of enhancing Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), enabling telerehabilitation, and supporting inclusive recovery pathways. We propose a framework that balances innovation with ethical safeguards, arguing that embodiment and neurophysiology together form both a catalyst and a challenge for the future of immersive rehabilitation. Rather than reporting novel empirical results, this work provides a framework intended to guide the design, implementation, and evaluation of future immersive and neuroadaptive motor training systems.