South African Optometric Association

Sportsvision

Sportsvision can be divided into 3 categories:

Prescription of optical aids to improve sight - This encompasses supply of spectacles, contact lenses and specialised aids for low vision. Another option is referral for refractive surgery. In conditions where sport has to be played at night under floodlights, or in adverse lighting conditions, attainment of 20/20 vision is desirable. It may not be as important under normal daylight conditions. A number of top sports participants perform at an optimal level with less than perfect sight and binocularity. "Vision" is not only "sight"!!

Selection of appropriate tints and protective eyewear - Different sports have varying demands as far as glare, contrast or impact protection are concerned. An alpine skier may need a very different tint from an angler. In the same way, an appliance given to a squash player for impact protection will differ from that given to a basketball player.

Enhancement of sport performance through visual training - As mentioned earlier, vision does not only involve sight. Other factors with a visual component can play a bigger role in sport, and are trainable.

Q: Is it good to wear sunglasses?
A: Yes, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors. Sunglass lenses should be optically corrected, and give you good protection from UV rays.
Sportsvision training primary factors
Visual concentration
The ability to maintain concentration on the task at hand in spite of interference, fatique, etc. Most conventional forms of visual therapy will aid concentration – even when actually claiming to improve other skills!

Peripheral awareness
The ability to recognise and act upon what is happening adjacent to where a sports participant is looking at any time. This is important in team sports, as well as in some individual sports such as martial arts and squash. Information from the peripheral field is used when deciding where to pass or when running into gaps.

Anticipation
The ability of an athlete to block, hit or avoid a rapidly moving ball is dependent on the ability to anticipate the expected trajectory of the ball. Having quick reflexes doesn’t necessarily play a significant role. The sensory input – how quickly the image of a ball moves from the eyes to the brain, is difficult to improve, being predominantly genetic. How quickly the brain processes the information to the body can be dramatically improved with training. This is a primary focus of Sportsvision training. When the motor response time is quickened, the athlete has more time to make a decision as to what to do with the ball.

Visual Memory
The ability to remember formations, tactics and movements of other players – also very important in team sports.

Eye/Brain/Body co-ordination
The old term "Hand/Eye" co-ordination leaves out the most important element – the brain. The above mentioned components are not only determined by vision. Other factors involved in sport performance are technical skill, psychological readiness, intuition, experience, preparation and confidence, amongst others. Eye/brain/body co-ordination integrates the visual input and the technical, physical and mental aspects of sport. Therefore sportsvision is intimately linked with physical and technical training.