Challenges and opportunities in designing and implementing sports talent training programs in higher vocational colleges: the role of ICT

This study investigates the effectiveness of an ICT-based training program in enhancing table tennis performance among students at a higher vocational college in Beijing, China. Using a randomized controlled trial (RCT), participants were assigned to either an experimental group, which received the ICT-enhanced training, or a control group, which followed traditional methods. The 24-week program utilized video analysis, interactive applications, and virtual reality (VR) technologies to improve technical skills, tactical understanding, and mental resilience. Statistical analysis using Student’s t-test for paired and unpaired samples showed that the experimental group significantly improved in terms of more wins and fewer losses compared to the control group (p ≤ 0.05). These results highlight the effectiveness of ICT in improving table tennis skills and overall competitiveness. On the other hand, the study’s scope is limited by the specific demographic of participants, all of whom were vocational college students, and by the relatively short duration of the intervention, which may not capture the long-term effects of ICT-based training. Further research is needed to explore the broader applicability of these findings across different educational settings and age groups.