COGNITIVE AND ERGONOMIC PRINCIPLES IN VR TRAINING DESIGN

Abstract

Virtual Reality training systems are increasingly used in engineering, industrial, and educational contexts, yet their effectiveness depends heavily on cognitive and ergonomic design factors. This article provides a systematic review of research examining how cognitive load, attention distribution, perceptual processing, and memory constraints influence user performance in virtual reality based training. Special emphasis is placed on ergonomic dimensions such as posture, reachability, visual comfort, motion patterns, and factors contributing to cybersickness, including latency, visual-vestibular conflict, and field-of-view inconsistencies. The paper synthesizes findings from recent studies to identify practical design principles that enhance usability, reduce fatigue, and improve learning efficiency. The analysis highlights that well-aligned cognitive cues, natural interaction mechanics, and adherence to ergonomic standards significantly improve user comfort and skill acquisition. The findings provide actionable guidelines for developers, instructors, and designers striving to build effective, user-centered virtual reality training systems for academic and industrial applications.