Conceptualization and Measurement of Individual Situation Awareness (SA) in Expert Populations across Operational Domains: a systematic review of the literature with a practical purpose on our minds

Abstract

From the time when the first formal SA theories were introduced (Endsley 1995; Smith & Hancock, 1995), an underlying ontological debate concerning the nature of human perception and cognition became evident. Indeed, despite more than two decades have passed since their publication, SA epistemological status and methodology are still object of dispute. For that reason, and bearing in mind the ultimate practice-oriented goal of developing/adapting SA measurement methods for elite soccer, a systematic review of the literature was performed regarding the definition and the methods used for SA measurement in expert populations. Fifty-four studies (N=54) met the established inclusion criteria and revealed important differences concerning SA definition and assessment across different operational domains. The results are discussed regarding both the state of the art of SA literature and the adaption/development of SA assessment methods for elite soccer.