Visual-perceptual training with motor practice of the observed movement pattern improves anticipation in emerging expert cricket batsmen

Temporal samples of visual information guides skilled interception

This study investigated whether performance of an interceptive skill requires an intact visual-perception-action cycle. Eleven skilled male Australian rules football athletes (Mage = 17.54, SD = 0.15) were recruited from an elite developmental pathway squad for a within-subject study. Participants were required to kick a ball directly at a goal from a 20-meter distance while wearing a pair of stroboscopic glasses. The glasses were used to create four vision conditions. Condition one kept intact the visual-perception-action cycle with uninterrupted vision of the motor skill. Three other conditions included stroboscopic vision that presented temporal samples of vision, which interrupted the perception-action cycle through progressive increases to intermittent vision occlusion of the motor skill. Goal kick error of ball position relative to a central target line within the goal and number of successful goals kicked were measured. Written report of internal and external focus of attention was also measured after each vision condition. Generalized estimating equation analysis did not reveal a significant decrement in kick target error, nor accuracy of goals scored, across normal to stroboscopic vision conditions. Performance was maintained despite a shift in attention focus from external to internal across normal to stroboscopic vision conditions. These findings have theoretical and practical implications for the visual regulation of skilled interceptive actions.

Studies of Vision in Cricket-A Narrative Review

Vision is thought to play a substantial role in hitting and fielding in cricket. An understanding of which visual skills contribute during cricket play could inform future clinical training trials. This paper reviews what has been reported thus far regarding the relationship of visual skills to cricket performance and reviews the results of clinical trials in which the impact of visual skills training on cricket performance has been addressed. Fundamental or low-level visual skills, with the exception of color vision and perhaps near stereopsis and dynamic visual acuity, are similar between cricket players and the general population. Simple reaction time has been found to be shorter in cricket players in some but not all studies. While there is mixed or no evidence that the aforementioned visual skills are superior in cricket players compared to non-players, comparisons of eye and head movements and gaze tracking have revealed consistent differences between elite cricket batters and sub-elite batters. Future training studies could examine whether teaching sub-elite batters to emulate the gaze tracking patterns of elite batters is beneficial for batting. Lastly, clinical trials in which visual skills of cricket players have been trained have in many cases resulted in positive effects on visual skills, or judgments required in cricket, or cricket play. However, clinical trials with larger and more diverse groups of participants and correlations to on-field metrics and on-field performance (i.e., domain-specific assessments) are necessary before conclusions can be drawn regarding the efficacy of vision training.

Using Biological Motion to Investigate Perceptual-Cognitive Expertise in Law Enforcement Use-of-Force Decisions

Research focused on police officers' decision-making in ambiguous use-of-force situations has yet to investigate the role that a suspect's biological motion plays in unknown-object identification. The current study uses point-light displays to isolate the suspect's motion and remove potentially biasing information (e.g., skin tone, facial expression, clothing). Experienced law enforcement officers and trainees (n = 129) watched point-light display videos of an actor pulling either a weapon or a non-weapon from a concealed location in a threatening or non-threatening manner. After each video ended, participants indicated whether the object-which was not visible-was a weapon or a non-weapon. Results indicated that the speed and intent (e.g., threatening vs. non-threatening) with which the actor drew the object were significant predictors of officers' responses. Officers' law enforcement experience (i.e., years of service) was not a significant predictor of their response. This study has important implications for understanding why police sometimes make critical and costly errors in ambiguous use-of-force situations. We consider implications for police performance and developing improved training procedures.

The impact of augmented feedback (and technology) on learning and teaching cricket skill: A systematic review with meta-analysis

Augmented feedback, including that provided using technology, can elicit multifaceted benefits on perceptual-motor learning and performance of sporting skills. However, current considerations of the applied value in supporting learning and teaching cricket skill is limited. This systematic review with meta-analysis aimed to understand the role and effectiveness of feedback-involved interventions on skill-based performance outcomes in cricket-related research. Six electronic databases were searched (SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science and PsycINFO). Of 8,262 records identified, 11 studies met inclusion criteria; five of which were included in meta-analyses. Given no studies with an isolated feedback intervention-arm were identified, the two meta-analyses explored anticipation-based studies consisting of an intervention that included augmented feedback; positioned with respect to the key motor skill concepts of perception (anticipation accuracy) and action (performance success). Despite results highlighting improved performance outcomes for the feedback-involved intervention groups, with a large effect size for improved anticipation accuracy (Hedge's g = 1.21, 95% CIs [-0.37, 2.78]) and a medium effect size for overall performance success (Hedge's g = 0.55, 95% CIs [-0.39, 1.50]), results were not statistically significant and should be interpreted with caution given the wide confidence intervals. Considering the small number of studies available, in addition to the lack of isolated feedback protocols, further research is warranted to thoroughly explore the impact of augmented feedback on skill-based performance in cricket. Beyond the meta-analyses, the review also explored all included studies from an ecological dynamics perspective; presenting future avenues of research framed around evaluating the applied value of using augmented feedback (mediated with or without technology) for learning and teaching skill in cricket. Trial registration The protocol was preregistered with Open Science Framework (osf.io/384pd).

The Influence of a Specific Cognitive-Motor Training Protocol on Planning Abilities and Visual Search in Young Soccer Players

The benefits of sport activity on cognition and especially on executive function development are well-known, and in recent years, several kinds of cognitive-motor training (CMT) have been proven effective in adults and older people. Less is known about possible CMT benefits in children. This study aims to confirm the positive influence played by CMTs on specific executive functions (planning abilities and visual search) in young soccer players. Twenty-four 10-year-old athletes were recruited and randomly assigned to the experimental (Exp) and control (Con) groups of 12 players. Both groups were trained for 10 weeks, twice a week (90 min per training), following standard soccer training (technical-tactical exercises). The Exp group, during the first training session of the week, in the last 22 min, performed the experimental treatment, which consisted of a psychokinetic CMT. Both groups were examined before and after the ten-week training using the Tower of London and WISC-IV cancellation tests. Results revealed that the Exp group, following treatment, reported significantly better scores than the Con group in all the cognitive measures. We concluded that the proposed CMT is more effective than motor training alone at improving planning abilities and visual search abilities, even in children.

Effects of video-based training on anticipation and decision-making in football players: A systematic review

The training of athletes' anticipation and decision-making skills has received increasing attention from researchers, who developed and implemented training programs to achieve this. Video-based training (VBT) has become a popular method in anticipation and decision-making skills training. However, little is known about the benefits of implementing VBT in soccer. This systematic review considered the results of studies on VBT aiming to develop decision-making and anticipation skills in football players, and analyzed its effects. Literature published up to March 2022 was systematically searched on the scientific electronic databases Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, SportDiscus, and Google Scholar. In total, 5,749 articles were identified. After screening the records according to the set exclusion and inclusion criteria, ten articles were considered eligible, including six longitudinal studies and four acute studies. Eight of the ten included studies (80%) showed that VBT group performance in anticipation or decision-making skills was significantly better at post-test than at pre-test, as evidenced by improvements in response accuracy (RA), response times (RT), mean distance scores (MDS) and passing decision-making performance. In six studies that included the no video-based training (NVBT) group, results showed that athletes in the VBT group performed better in anticipation or decision-making skills than in the NVBT group, as evidenced by improvements in RA and RT performance. The studies used different methods for VBT, both explicit and implicit training effectively improved participants' anticipation and decision-making skills. In addition, the implementation of the "first-person" perspective (i.e., the player's perspective) and virtual reality (VR) improved the presentation of video stimuli, effectively improving anticipation and decision-making. The findings of this review suggest that VBT is beneficial in developing anticipation and decision-making judgments in football players. However, some findings were inconsistent with previous studies due to differences in intervention duration and experimental protocols, and further studies are needed. Furthermore, future research should actively seek to design appropriate retention tests and transfer tests to truly understand the benefits of VBT for athletes.

On Learning to Anticipate in Youth Sport

Elite sport offers a suitable setting to understand the ability to anticipate future events-a phenomenon that is central to animal life. Critically, however, whilst anticipation in sport has been studied for several decades, there have been few attempts to understand its development throughout childhood and adolescence. Additionally, whilst it is widely acknowledged that the need to anticipate emerges from temporal pressure, there has been no effort to understand the nonlinear effect that temporal demands have on the development of anticipatory skill. This is important as its consequences have different implications for sports authorities compared to an individual player. To bridge the gap in our understanding, this article draws attention to the mathematical concepts of concavity and convexity to explain the nonlinear relationship between temporal demands and the development of anticipatory skill. This viewpoint has implications for the design of junior sport, including the modification of rules, which has gained worldwide interest in recent years.

Attentional Span Is Determined by Sport Discipline

Many studies have highlighted the impact of sport on cognitive functioning. However, more evidence is needed to explain which type of sport is more relevant. The main purpose of this study was to determine the level of attention span based on the type of sport practiced (open vs. closed). In addition, this problem was also analyzed based on gender and training hours. The study sample consisted of 547 participants (27.20% male; 72.80% female), aged between 19 and 35 years old (M = 24.19; SD = 3.74). The “Modrian Images” computerized test, hosted in MenPas Cell software(MenPas 1.0), was used to assess the attention span. The results showed that athletes playing open sports have a better attentional span than others playing closed sports. Moreover, this was also replicated when assessing by gender. Likewise, a greater number of hours in a week participating in sports is related to a better level of attentional span, being less determinant than the type of sport practiced. Data obtained suggest that playing open sports would be more related to the greater development of attention span than playing more closed sports.

Topical Review: Perceptual-cognitive Skills, Methods, and Skill-based Comparisons in Interceptive Sports

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.

The Athletic Intelligence Quotient and Performance Outcomes in Professional Baseball

The focus on quantifiable data in sport performance has led to incremental advantages in baseball and has played an important role in the development of new hitting, pitching, fielding, and coaching strategies. Recently, researchers and team representatives have considered the impact of additional factors in baseball, including cognitive functioning. In this study, predictive validity for the Athletic Intelligence Quotient (AIQ) was examined vis-à-vis performance outcomes in professional baseball. Specifically, AIQ scores were obtained from 149 Minor League Baseball (MiLB) players prior to the 2014 baseball season and their subsequent performance was assessed through traditional and newly emphasized baseball statistics. Using hierarchical multiple regression, it was demonstrated that the AIQ predicted statistically significant relationships with hitting and pitching statistics, after controlling for other variables. Given the recent impact of analytics in professional sports, the potential importance of the AIQ in the selection and coaching process was discussed.

Sources of information pick-up for anticipation by skilled cricket batsmen

This study investigated whether skilled West Indian cricket batsmen could use contextual and kinematic information to anticipate the type of ball being bowled. Thirty-one participants were recruited that formed first class (n = 10), elite club (n = 10), and elite youth representative (n = 11) groups. Each group completed a video temporal occlusion batting test under two conditions. Condition one presented bowler kinematic information; that is, occlusion occurred at back-foot, front-foot, and ball release, with a no occlusion control. Condition two presented game contextual information in the form of field placings that was congruent with the ball types prior to temporal occlusion trials. Results revealed no significant skill group differences in the timing of information pick-up under kinematic or contextual conditions. Prediction accuracy for all skill groups was at guessing level at each temporal occlusion that presented kinematic information, but was above chance at no occlusion. Prediction accuracy for all skill groups increased to above guessing level at advance cue temporal occlusions when contextual information was provided. Findings indicate that this group of skilled batsmen did not use kinematic information for anticipation in this temporal occlusion task, but relied heavily upon contextual information. An implication of this study is that skilled batsmen should be targeted for visual-perceptual training to pick-up contextual and kinematic information to guard against deception from the latter that can negatively impact batting performance.

Effectiveness of Health-Led Cognitive Behavioral-Based Group Therapy on Pain, Functional Disability and Psychological Outcomes among Knee Osteoarthritis Patients in Malaysia

Background: Psychosocial interventions for patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee to reduce pain and improve physical and psychological functioning are still lacking in Malaysia. Methods: A parallel-group unblinded randomized controlled trial involving 300 patients was conducted in two hospital orthopedics clinics in Malaysia. Patients were randomly assigned to receive cognitive behavioral-based group therapy (n = 150) or no further intervention (n = 150). The primary outcome was the change from baseline in knee pain as determined by the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) at 6 months. The data collected were analyzed by covariate-adjusted mixed design repeated measures analysis of variance. All analyses were performed under the terms of intention-to-treat. Results: At 6 months, mean change from baseline in the KOOS knee pain score was 0.6 points (95% CI −1.73 to 2.94) in the control group and 8.9 points (95% CI 6.62 to 11.23) (denoting less knee pain intensity) in the intervention group (significant treatment effect p < 0.0001). Patients treated with such an approach also experienced significant improvement in functional ability when performing activities of daily living and had improved ability to cope with depression, anxiety and pain catastrophizing. Conclusion: The intervention module delivered by healthcare professionals had a sustained effect on knee OA pain and functionality over 6 months, thereby leading to an overall improvement in psychological well-being, thus benefitting most of the Malaysian knee OA patients.

On-Field Perceptual-Cognitive Training Improves Peripheral Reaction in Soccer: A Controlled Trial

Abilities such as peripheral reaction are of special importance in soccer. Whether these abilities can be improved by sport-specific on-field interventions remains unclear. The aim of the present controlled trial was to investigate the effect of a soccer-specific perceptual-cognitive on-field training on peripheral reaction of highly talented soccer players aged 12–13 years. N = 38 male elite athletes from young talent centers were allocated to an intervention (n = 19) and a control group (CG) (n = 19). Computer-based peripheral perception tests were conducted before and after intervention. Combining a sport-specific and a juggling task, the intervention was performed once a week (8 weeks, 20 min per week) in addition to team training. The CG exclusively underwent usual team training. Analyses show significant differences between the two groups for peripheral reaction time (PRT), with significant improvements for the intervention group and none for the CG. Furthermore, results indicate that improvements in peripheral reaction might be due to changes in the reaction time of right-footed players. Future studies should be conducted to clarify the effect of sport-specific on-field training approaches on PRT. These analyses should consider the influence of lateralization on effectivity of perceptual-cognitive on-field training approaches.

Effects of Protective American Football Headgear on Peripheral Vision Reaction Time and Visual Target Detection in Division I NCAA Football Players

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of protective football headgear on peripheral vision reaction time and visual target detection. Twenty-five Division I NCAA football players (age = 20.5 yrs ± 0.9, height = 185.9 cm ± 6.8, body mass = 99.2 kg ± 19.2, BMI = 29.6 ± 4.5) participated. In a crossover counterbalanced study design, subjects participated in one visit with three conditions: Baseline (BL) without headgear, helmet only (HO), helmet with an eye shield (HE). Subjects completed a 1-min peripheral vision reaction time test for each condition separated by 3-min recovery periods. Tests were administered using a 64 light Dynavision D2 Visuomotor board. Target detection (total hit score) was higher during BL than HO (p < 0.001) and HE (p < 0.001). Average (p < 0.001), peak (p < 0.001), minimum (p < 0.001), and median (p < 0.001) peripheral reaction times were faster during BL than HO and HE. No significant differences were observed for any measures between HO and HE conditions (p > 0.05). Findings indicate that protective football headgear impaired reaction time to peripheral visual stimuli. The addition of an eye shield to the helmet had a small non-significant effect on reaction time and target detection. These results may hold important implications in helmet design and player safety.