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Wu R, Yang Q, Cui W, Gao D, Luo Y, Wang D. Relationship between visual ability assessment and punch performance in competition in male amateur boxers. Front Physiol 2024; 15:1429554. [PMID: 39081778 PMCID: PMC11286555 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1429554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Sport visual ability plays an important role in the performance of elite athletes in competition. However, its relationship with boxers' performance has not been fully understood. This study investigated the relationship between sports visual abilities and in-competition punching performance in 26 highly trained male amateur boxers. Ten visual abilities of the boxers were tested using the Senaptec Sensory Station (Senaptec, Beaverton, OR, United States), including Visual Clarity (VC), Contrast Sensitivity (CS), Depth Perception (DP), Near Far Quickness (NFQ), Target Capture (TC), Perception Span (PS), Multiple Object Tracking (MOT), Eye-Hand Coordination (EHC), Go/No Go (GNG), and Reaction Time (RT). Performance analyses were conducted on national boxing championships conducted by the boxers to analyze their punching accuracy. Correlation and regression analyses showed that punch performance %Hit was very strong correlated with DP, EHC, GNG, and RT, and showed a strong correlation with VC, CS, and PS. %Hit was moderate correlated with MOT, while there was no correlation with NFQ and TC. In addition, RT, EHC, and DP are important visual ability variables for boxers. The results of this study indicate that there is an overall relationship between sports visual ability and boxing performance, but there is also a specific relationship between variables in visual ability and boxing performance, especially faster reaction times, better processing of visual information, and decision-making abilities, and the ability to accurately recognize the distance and position of an opponent and their punches are essential for enhancing boxing performance. Further studies are needed to investigate the relationship between sport visual ability and more comprehensive performance in boxers, and the possibility of enhancing performance through specific visual training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Wu
- School of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Lab of Human Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingyuan Yang
- Xinjiang Research Institute of Sports Science, Urumqi, China
| | - Weijia Cui
- School of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Dongxu Gao
- School of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Yifei Luo
- School of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Dexin Wang
- School of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Lab of Human Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
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Maule JJ, Maguire R, Timmis MA, Runswick OR, Wilkins L, Mann DL, Dain SJ, Bosten JM, Allen PM. Difficult at dusk? Illuminating the debate on cricket ball visibility. J Sci Med Sport 2024; 27:408-414. [PMID: 38423830 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2024.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Investigate the visibility of new and old red, white and pink cricket balls under lighting and background conditions experienced during a day-night cricket match. DESIGN We modelled the luminance contrast signals available for a typical observer for a ball against backgrounds in a professional cricket ground, at different times of day. METHODS Spectral reflectance (light reflected as a function of wavelength) was derived from laboratory measurements of new and old red, white and pink balls. We also gathered spectral measurements from backgrounds (pitch, grass, sightscreens, crowd, sky) and spectral illuminance during a day-night match (natural afternoon light, through dusk to night under floodlights) from Lord's Cricket Ground (London, UK). The luminance contrast of the ball relative to the background was calculated for each combination of ball, time of day, and background surface. RESULTS Old red and old pink balls may offer little or no contrast against the grass, pitch and crowd. New pink balls can also be of low contrast against the crowd at dusk, as can pink and white balls (of any age) against the sky at dusk. CONCLUSIONS Reports of difficulties with visibility of the pink ball are supported by our data. However, our modelling also shows that difficulties with visibility may also be expected under certain circumstances for red and white balls. The variable conditions in a cricket ground and the changing colour of an ageing ball make maintaining good visibility of the ball a challenge when playing day-night matches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert Maguire
- Vision and Hearing Sciences Research Centre, Anglia Ruskin University, UK
| | - Matthew A Timmis
- Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, UK
| | - Oliver R Runswick
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Luke Wilkins
- Sport, Performance, and Nutrition (SPAN) Research Group, La Trobe University, Australia
| | - David L Mann
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Amsterdam Movement Sciences and Institute of Brain and Behaviour Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Stephen J Dain
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Peter M Allen
- Vision and Hearing Sciences Research Centre, Anglia Ruskin University, UK
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3
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Lochhead L, Feng J, Laby DM, Appelbaum LG. Visual Performance and Sports: A Scoping Review. JOURNAL OF SPORT & EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY 2024:1-13. [PMID: 38815973 DOI: 10.1123/jsep.2023-0267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Vision is central to success in nearly all sports, and there is an emerging body of research investigating the links between visual abilities and athletic performance. This preregistered scoping review seeks to clarify the topics of study, methodologies used, populations under investigation, researchers, and disciplines driving this field. Systematic searches of English-language articles were conducted in PubMed and Web of Science, with additional literature identified through bibliographic searches. Six hundred sixty-seven articles published between 1976 and 2023 were identified with 547 empirical studies, 58 review articles, 20 commentaries, and 4 meta-analyses, among others. Among the empirical papers, 411 reported on visual assessments and 98 on vision training interventions. The most represented sports included baseball, soccer, basketball, and cricket, with over 150 articles reporting on professional, elite, or Olympic athletes. This scoping review describes the breadth of this emerging field, identifies its strengths and weaknesses, and provides recommendations for future improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jiren Feng
- University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
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Feng Z, Lochhead L, Kohn JN, Appelbaum LG. Predictors of batting and pitching performance in the USA baseball prospect development pipeline. Sports Biomech 2024:1-19. [PMID: 38190251 DOI: 10.1080/14763141.2023.2298959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between psychomotor abilities and baseball performance by analysing data from 379 athletes who participated in the USA Baseball, Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP). Hit and pitch metrics were generated during practice sessions using the RapsodoTM System. Data were compared through exploratory factor analysis and hierarchical regression. Factor analysis grouped batter's PDP evaluations into four latent variables accounting for 63% of variance. Pitcher performance grouped into three factors accounting for 51% of variance. Regression on batter data revealed a significant demographic/anthropometric base model with height, weight, and age that accounted for 58% of the batted ball speed (R2 = 0.581). Player position explained 2% of the variance (R2 = 0.604), and PDP evaluation scores contributed an additional 3% (R2 = 0.631). Regression of pitcher data showed a significant base demographic/anthropometric model accounting for 36% of fastball pitch speeds (R2 = 0.363), with the PDP evaluation scores adding 6% additional variance (R2 = 0.424). Uniformly, assessments of lower body strength added the greatest predictive information. Hand grip strength did not correlate with pitch metrics. While demographics/anthropometrics are major contributors to batted and pitched ball speed, position and psychomotor variables add statistically significant contributions and may be of practical value for player selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyu Feng
- Human Performance Optimization Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, USA
| | - Liam Lochhead
- Human Performance Optimization Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, USA
| | - Jordan N Kohn
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, USA
| | - L Gregory Appelbaum
- Human Performance Optimization Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, USA
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Nagai T, Schilaty ND, Wong H, Keller VC, Stiennon ST, Chang RW, Stuart MJ, Krause DA. Acute effects of an isometric neck warm-up programme on neck performance characteristics and ultrasound-based morphology. Ann Med 2023; 55:2295402. [PMID: 38142049 PMCID: PMC10763903 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2295402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Athletic performance can be enhanced immediately after an isometric warm-up, a phenomenon termed post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE). While isometric warm-ups can improve lower extremity sprint and jump performance, neck-specific isometric warm-ups need development and validation for mild traumatic brain disorders and neck pain. This study examined acute effects of isometric warm-ups on neck performance and morphology. METHODS Arm 1: Twenty-six adults (13 M:13F) completed neck performance testing before and after a 10-minute neck isometric warm-up or stationary bike (sham) between two visits. Testing included visual-motor reaction time, peak force, rate of force development, force steadiness, and force replication/proprioception measured by a 6-axis load cell. An inclinometer assessed range-of-motion. Paired t-tests and two-way ANOVA examined effects of neck/bike warm-up and interaction effects, respectively. Arm 2: 24 adults (11 M:13F) completed ultrasound scans of cervical muscles: before 20-minute rest (sham), and before/after a 5-min neck isometric warm-up. Longus colli cross-sectional area and sternocleidomastoid/upper trapezius thickness and stiffness, and cervical extensors thickness was assessed. One-way ANOVA compared morphological values at sham, before, and after warm-up. Significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS Isometric neck warm-up increased rate of force development in flexion (p = 0.022), extension (p = 0.001-0.003), right lateral flexion (p = 0.004-0.032), left lateral flexion (p = 0.005-0.014), while peak force improved only in left lateral flexion (p = 0.032). Lateral flexion range-of-motion increased after neck warm-up (p = 0.003-0.026). Similarly, longus colli cross-sectional area (p = 0.016) and sternocleidomastoid thickness (p = 0.004) increased. CONCLUSIONS Increased neck performance characteristics and morphology are likely due to PAPE effects of isometric neck warm-up. For coaches and athletes, simple isometric contractions could be added to existing warm-ups to reduce prevalence, incidence, and severity of mild traumatic brain injuries and neck pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Nagai
- United States Army Research Institute and Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA, USA
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Nathan D. Schilaty
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South FL, Tampa, FL, USA
- Department of Medical Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
- Center for Neuromusculoskeletal Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Hanwen Wong
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Valerie C. Keller
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Sean T. Stiennon
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Ryan W.B Chang
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - David A. Krause
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Wang CC, Huang YTA, Jiang RS, Liao CA, Kuo LW. Opposite effects of Covid-19 infection on pitchers and batters: a retrospective study on Chinese Professional Baseball League players. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2023; 63:1350-1357. [PMID: 37800400 DOI: 10.23736/s0022-4707.23.15003-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The influence of COVID-19 infection on elite athletes remains largely unknown, especially on baseball players. The goal of this study is to examine the actual performance of infected elite baseball players from the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) from a sabermetric point of view. METHODS This was a retrospective observational cohort study. CPBL players who were infected with COVID-19 from April 27th to May 31st, 2022, were eligible for this study. The performance of study participants before and after COVID-19 infection was compared, and statistics from the batters and pitchers were analyzed separately. RESULTS During the study interval, 56 players were infected with COVID-19, including 35 batters and 21 pitchers. After excluding injured players and players with inadequate playing opportunities, 23 batters and 12 pitchers were enrolled. For batters, there were no significant differences before and after COVID-19 infection. However, batters older than 28 years of age showed a decline in slugging percentage (0.372 vs. 0.292, P=0.049). Analysis of pitchers revealed significantly boosted fastball velocity after COVID-19 infection (142.10 km/h vs. 142.82 km/h, P=0.028) and improved strikeouts per nine innings (6.89 vs. 8.56, P=0.021). CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 might have a potential influence on professional baseball players. For batters, veteran players more than 28 years of age were more likely to be negatively affected by COVID-19, whereas the effect of COVID-19 on pitchers was generally positive, with significantly improved fastball velocity and K/9 numbers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Cheng Wang
- Department of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Tung Anton Huang
- Center for Big Data Analytics and Statistics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Ren-Shiang Jiang
- Department of Physical Education, National Taiwan University of Sport, Taichung City, Taiwan
| | - Chien-An Liao
- Department of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine and College of Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Ling-Wei Kuo
- Department of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan City, Taiwan -
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7
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Murray NP, Lawton J, Rider P, Harris N, Hunfalvay M. Oculomotor Behavior Predict Professional Cricket Batting and Bowling Performance. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 15:768585. [PMID: 35002657 PMCID: PMC8739967 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.768585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Importance: A new, shorter version of cricket was introduced recently (Twenty20; T20). Since its inception, T20 cricket has rapidly become a popular and exciting format of cricket. However, there is little understanding of factors such as visual-motor control that influence expert performance. Objective: The purpose of this project is to determine if a series of oculomotor measures can predict batting and bowling performance in professional cricket players. Design: This study used a cross-sectional design. Each participant took part in a suite of eye-tracking tests to measure oculomotor behavior compared to their performance data. Participants: This study used a sample of 59 male T20 league professional cricket players (30 Bowlers and 29 Batsman). Results: One-way univariate analyses of variance examined the differences in oculomotor behavior between batsman and bowlers. A series of multiple regression analyses was conducted to evaluate how well the visual variables predict bowling and batting performance variables. Results demonstrate that several oculomotor eye tracking measures were good predictors of run performance and strike rate, including sports total score, sports on-field score, and sports functional score. Likewise, several of the same metrics predicted Runs and Wicket performance for bowlers. Overall, results provided further validation to a growing body of literature supporting the use of eye-tracking technology in performance evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas P Murray
- Visual Motor Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Josh Lawton
- Visual Motor Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Patrick Rider
- Visual Motor Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Nathanial Harris
- College of Education, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
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Stereopsis in Sports: Visual Skills and Visuomotor Integration Models in Professional and Non-Professional Athletes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182111281. [PMID: 34769799 PMCID: PMC8583573 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Visual skills in sport are considered relevant variables of athletic performance. However, data on the specific contribution of stereopsis-as the ability to perceive depth-in sport performance are still scarce and scattered in the literature. The aim of this review is therefore to take stock of the effects of stereopsis on the athletic performance, also looking at the training tools to improve visual abilities and potential differences in the visuomotor integration processes of professional and non-professional athletes. Dynamic stereopsis is mainly involved in catching or interceptive actions of ball sports, whereas strategic sports use different visual skills (peripheral and spatial vision) due to the sport-specific requirements. As expected, professional athletes show better visual skills as compared to non-professionals. However, both non-professional and professional athletes should train their visual skills by using sensory stations and light boards systems. Non-professional athletes use the visual inputs as the main method for programming motor gestures. In contrast, professional athletes integrate visual information with sport expertise, thus, they encode the match (or the athletic performance) through a more complex visuomotor integration system. Although studies on visual skills and stereopsis in sports still appear to be in their early stages, they show a large potential for both scientific knowledge and technical development.
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Weise KK, Galt SJ, Hale MH, Springer DB, Swanson MW. Pre-participation Vision Screening and Comprehensive Eye Care in National Collegiate Athletic Association Athletes. Optom Vis Sci 2021; 98:764-770. [PMID: 34328455 DOI: 10.1097/opx.0000000000001738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Pre-participation physical evaluation and its vision screenings have been the mainstay of medical clearance for competitive play for decades. The ability of screening to address athlete's sports-specific vision needs is unknown. METHODS Fifty-eight intercollegiate football players consented to participate in a comprehensive, sports-specific eye examination in addition to the standard pre-participation vision screening. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were determined for screening's ability to detect athletes whose vision might improve with correction, athletes who had significant ocular findings that impact safety, and either of the two conditions together. The effect no recent eye examination added to pre-participation vision screening results was evaluated for change in screening yield. Descriptive statistics of the cohort and associations with no recent comprehensive eye examination were generated. RESULTS The pre-participation vision screening was able to identify three athletes not meeting visual acuity requirements for medical clearance to play without a comprehensive assessment. A failed screening was poorly able to identify athletes who might benefit from improved acuity (sensitivity, 9.1%; specificity, 100%), have sports-specific significant ocular findings (sensitivity, 10.5%; specificity, 97.3%), or have either together (sensitivity, 7.5%; specificity, 100%). Sixty percent (33/55) of athletes reported never having a comprehensive examination or one within the last 10 years. Fifty-eight percent (34/58) had improved best-corrected visual acuity after comprehensive examination, and 81% (47/58) had improved acuity or a sports-specific significant finding. CONCLUSIONS The pre-participation vision screening was largely able to identify athletes meeting the minimum visual acuity requirement for athlete clearance. It poorly identified those who might benefit from improved vision with refractive correction and those in whom sport-specific significant eye findings were noted. Comprehensive eye care had a clear benefit for the majority of athletes tested. This benefit needs to be balanced with the potential added costs and time constraints to players and athletic department staff.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah J Galt
- Department of Optometry and Vision Science, School of Optometry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - M Heath Hale
- Department of Athletics, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Daniel B Springer
- Department of Athletics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Mark W Swanson
- Department of Optometry and Vision Science, School of Optometry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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Review: Vision and On-field Performance: A Critical Review of Visual Assessment and Training Studies with Athletes. Optom Vis Sci 2021; 98:723-731. [PMID: 34328451 DOI: 10.1097/opx.0000000000001729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Sports vision is an emerging field that seeks to establish the relationships between visual function and sports performance. Here we provide the first critical review of empirical studies that attempt to link visual assessments and vision training to competitive game performance.Vision is essential to producing controlled movement, and therefore, it is intuitive that better visual abilities should relate to better sporting performance. This notion has been central to the field of sports vision, an area of study that seeks to determine the visual skills that underlie optimal sports performance and investigate approaches to train these abilities to improve sports performance. Although this field now contains hundreds of published articles addressing visual assessment and training in athletes, relatively few have attempted to directly link these capabilities to on-field production statistics from competitive matches. The objectives of this article are both to describe the theoretical and experimental framework necessary for such research and to critically review the empirical literature that has attempted to directly link visual assessments and/or training to athletic performance. We begin by describing why such associations are important and then provide an evidence-based framework for evaluating the quality of research in this domain. This is followed by a summary and review of the qualified literature that has addressed either relationships between baseline assessments and game performance or the effects of visual training interventions on game performance. Based on this review, it is concluded that, despite promising evidence supporting the role of vision in sports performance and improvements due to training, the specialty is still in need of methodological improvements. It is recommended that studies aim for larger better-powered studies, consistent and precise outcome measures, and greater scientific rigor such as obtained through randomized placebo-controlled designs with pre-registration of hypotheses.
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Kirschen DG, Laby DM. The Uses of Vision Data in Selecting Players for the Major League Baseball Draft. Optom Vis Sci 2021; 98:809-814. [PMID: 34267081 DOI: 10.1097/opx.0000000000001736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE This report illustrates the potential uses of vision data in helping teams select players during the draft. PURPOSE Visual performance has gradually gained recognition in baseball as a tool that can optimize on-field performance. It also may be useful in player development programs that gradually move players toward the major league. METHODS Recently, over the past 5 years, vision data from six different major league teams were used by the authors to assess prospective players before the annual Major League Baseball (MLB) draft. One thousand three hundred forty-three vision forms were evaluated representing 759 different players. Their vision data were retrospectively analyzed using a novel grading method to advise teams on the visual readiness of prospects for success in MLB. RESULTS On a one (best)-to-six (worst) vision scale, the average vision score was 2.080 ± 1.171. Sixty-eight percent (320/473) of the players with good vision scores were drafted, 66% (185/281) of the players with moderate vision scores were drafted, and only 1 player with a poor vision score was drafted. There was a statistically significant difference in the amount of signing bonus received by draftees with better vision scores compared with those with lower vision scores (P < .003 to P < .001). Draftees with the highest vision scores also received the highest signing bonuses as they entered MLB. CONCLUSIONS For both potential draftees and teams, the vision score seems to be a valuable tool in selecting players for the MLB draft. Adding the pre-draft visual assessment score to a team's projection model could help reduce the uncertainty surrounding the player draft and future service to the team.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel M Laby
- Private Practice: Champions Edge/Sports Vision NYC, New York, New York
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12
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Shekar SU, Erickson GB, Horn F, Hayes JR, Cooper S. Efficacy of a Digital Sports Vision Training Program for Improving Visual Abilities in Collegiate Baseball and Softball Athletes. Optom Vis Sci 2021; 98:815-825. [PMID: 34285177 DOI: 10.1097/opx.0000000000001740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Dynamic reactive sports involve visual abilities such as visual acuity, depth perception, contrast sensitivity, and visual-motor reaction speed. This randomized, double-blinded control design showed no significant improvement in the visual parameters among athletes after training on a digital sports vision training program. PURPOSE There is a need for evidence supporting the efficacy of recently developed digital training programs. METHODS Thirty-two athletes from National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III softball and baseball teams were randomly divided into experimental and placebo training groups, undergoing three 20-minute training sessions per week for 3 weeks. The experimental group trained on procedures designed to improve dynamic visual acuity and depth perception, and the placebo group trained on procedures designed to have no direct impact on those same parameters. All measures were recorded at baseline, post-training, and after a month of no training. The athletes also completed a questionnaire to determine the efficacy of the placebo effect. RESULTS There was no significant effect of evaluation type (post-training and follow-up) and condition (experimental and placebo) on any of the visual parameters. However, stereoacuity, contrast sensitivity, depth perception, and dynamic visual acuity showed minimum effect sizes of 0.5. Fifteen of 16 athletes in the placebo group thought they trained on experimental procedures. CONCLUSIONS No significant improvement differences were seen between experimental and placebo training groups. However, stereoacuity, contrast sensitivity, and depth perception achieved minimum clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fraser Horn
- Pacific University College of Optometry, Forest Grove, Oregon
| | - John R Hayes
- Pacific University College of Optometry, Forest Grove, Oregon
| | - Scott Cooper
- Pacific University College of Optometry, Forest Grove, Oregon
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13
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Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Eye care professionals seek to provide effective vision care for a variety of patient needs, including performance in sports and recreational pursuits. This review provides an analysis of common visual performance assessments, including summaries of recent clinical research from a diverse array of professional literature.Vision is recognized as an important element of sports performance. Elite athletes frequently demonstrate exceptional abilities to see and respond effectively in sports competition. Which visual factors are important and how to most effectively assess visual performance are the sources of much debate. This topical review presents an evidence-based review of the common visual performance factors assessed in athletes, beginning with guidance for conducting a visual task analysis for the variety of sports that athlete patients may compete in. An information processing model is used to provide a framework for understanding the contributions of the many visual performance factors used during sports.
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14
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Topical Review: Perceptual-cognitive Skills, Methods, and Skill-based Comparisons in Interceptive Sports. Optom Vis Sci 2021; 98:681-695. [PMID: 34328450 DOI: 10.1097/opx.0000000000001727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE We give a comprehensive picture of perceptual-cognitive (PC) skills that could contribute to performance in interceptive sports. Both visual skills that are low level and unlikely influenced by experience and higher-level cognitive-attentional skills are considered, informing practitioners for identification and training and alerting researchers to gaps in the literature.Perceptual-cognitive skills and abilities are keys to success in interceptive sports. The interest in identifying which skills and abilities underpin success and hence should be selected and developed is likely going to grow as technologies for skill testing and training continue to advance. Many different methods and measures have been applied to the study of PC skills in the research laboratory and in the field, and research findings across studies have often been inconsistent. In this article, we provide definitional clarity regarding whether a skill is primarily visual attentional (ranging from fundamental/low-level skills to high-level skills) or cognitive. We review those skills that have been studied using sport-specific stimuli or tests, such as postural cue anticipation in baseball, as well as those that are mostly devoid of sport context, considered general skills, such as dynamic visual acuity. In addition to detailing the PC skills and associated methods, we provide an accompanying table of published research since 1995, highlighting studies (for various skills and sports) that have and have not differentiated across skill groups.
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Dalton K. Review: The Quiet Eye in Sports Performance-Is the Quiet Eye the Ultimate Explanation or Only the Beginning? Optom Vis Sci 2021; 98:732-737. [PMID: 34267083 DOI: 10.1097/opx.0000000000001728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE The quiet eye is a gaze behavior that seems to differentiate both expert-novice performance and successful and unsuccessful performance in experts; however, the quiet eye may only represent one aspect of the perceptual-cognitive expertise differences that exist between athletes and nonathletes.Research suggests that expert-novice differences in vision and visual-motor coordination skills exist between athletes and nonathletes, although the underlying mechanisms driving these differences are not well understood. The quiet eye is the final fixation or tracking gaze made before the initiation of the action of importance in a motor coordination task and is quite possibly the most well-studied vision strategy variable in sport. The quiet eye has been shown to be a key component of both expert ability and successful performance. However, the quiet eye is not without its criticisms, and the perceptual mechanisms underlying this unique gaze behavior are not yet well understood. The question that remains to be answered is whether the differences in vision and visual-motor coordination skills that exist between athletes and nonathletes can be explained by the quiet eye alone or if the explanation is more complicated.
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Liu S, Edmunds FR, Burris K, Appelbaum LG. Visual and oculomotor abilities predict professional baseball batting performance. INT J PERF ANAL SPOR 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/24748668.2020.1777819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sicong Liu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University , Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Kyle Burris
- Department of Statistical Science, Duke University , Durham, NC, USA
| | - Lawrence Gregory Appelbaum
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University , Durham, NC, USA
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