## 4 Discussion  
The aim of this study was to test whether an extended VR training regimen of 28 weekdays would yield more substantial improvements in cognitive functions essential for competitive esports than training lasting 8 weekdays. Studies have demonstrated that consistent and extended practice leads to more significant and lasting changes in brain structure and function as the brain adapts to the demands placed upon it [54, 55]. During the initial stages of training, individuals typically experience rapid improvements as they familiarize themselves with new tasks and environments. This phase, often characterized by steep learning curves, is crucial for establishing basic proficiency. As training continues, these initial gains tend to plateau, and further improvements require more sustained and focused effort [40]. This is where the benefits of extended training periods, such as 28 days, become evident. Such improvements due to extended cognitive training have been linked to structural changes in the brain, particularly in areas responsible for executive function, working memory, and motor coordination. Research shows that prolonged mental engagement promotes increases in gray matter volume, synaptic efficiency, and enhanced connectivity between cognitive and motor control regions [56]. For example, [PERSON] & [PERSON] [57] found that long-term cognitive training in neurorehabilitation settings resulted in both functional and structural neural modifications, strengthening prefrontal cortex pathways essential for decision-making and attentional control. Additionally, [PERSON] et al. [58] provided evidence that training-dependent neuroplasticity occurs in response to long-term interventions, particularly in tasks requiring visuomotor coordination and complex cognitive processing. Their findings suggest that extended training periods enhance connectivity in the sensorimotor network, reinforcing motor learning and eye-hand coordination. Similarly, [PERSON] et al. [59] demonstrated that repeated cognitive engagement leads to the long-term modulation of neuroplasticity, facilitating greater adaptability and efficiency in cognitive-motor integration. Our findings suggest that while the theoretical basis for longer training is sound, the practical benefits of extending VR training from 8 to 28 days may not be as substantial. Both experimental groups showed significant improvements in cognitive performance. Specifically, eight days of VR-based training were sufficient to achieve positive changes in measured cognitive functions. The additional training provided by the longer 28-day regimen induced very similar effects, suggesting a plateau in the benefits gained from extended VR training. This result is consistent with previous studies that reported cognitive improvements following short-term VR interventions. For instance, [PERSON] et al. [60] found significant cognitive gains after just one week of VR training. Furthermore, findings from prior research reinforce that VR-based cognitive and motor training can lead to significant short-term improvements, even within limited training periods. [PERSON] et al. [61] demonstrated that a gaze-tracking VR system for eye-hand coordination training effectively enhanced reaction accuracy and response time after short-term exposure. Similarly, [PERSON] et al. [62] showed that mid-air VR coordination training for sports enhanced movement precision and reaction time, indicating that immersive VR tasks provide rapid cognitive and motor benefits without requiring prolonged exposure. Additionally, [PERSON] et al. [63] found that VR-based neurorehabilitation programs significantly improved eye-hand coordination and dexterity, with notable gains occurring within a relatively short timeframe. Thus, while longer VR training could be theoretically hypothesized to yield more substantial cognitive benefits, our practical findings align with existing research, indicating that the extension from 8 to 28 days does not confer additional cognitive advantages.