Enhancing sports performance through clinical and experimental optometry

Abstract

The roles of clinical and experimental optometry in the improvement of sports performance are considered in the light of existing research knowledge in vision and sport. A parallel is drawn between the manner in which the human performer uses vision to control skilled movement and the operation of a highspeed computer and a distinction is made between the reception and perception stages of visual information‐processing. It is suggested that the reception of visual information is largely limited by the physical characteristics of the visual system (‘hardware’) and a role for the clinical optometrist is proposed in terms of ensuring that adequate levels of visual ‘hardware’ exist for athletes. It is further suggested that enhancement of visual ‘hardware’ beyond normal levels is unlikely to improve sports performance substantially as perceptual performance appears to be primarily limited by the strategies (‘software’) performers have developed to mpe with the unique processing demands of their particular sports. Some examples of ‘software’ differences between expert and novice performers are provided and the effectiveness of altering perceptual strategies as a means of enhancing sports performance is considered.