Abstract
Many studies have shown that experts possess better perceptual-cognitive skills than novices (e.g., in anticipation, decision making, pattern recall), but it remains unclear whether a relationship exists between performance on those tests of perceptual-cognitive skill and actual on-field performance. In this study, we assessed the in situ performance of skilled soccer players and related the outcomes to measures of anticipation, decision making, and pattern recall. In addition, we examined gaze behaviour when performing the perceptual-cognitive tests to better understand whether the underlying processes were related when those perceptual-cognitive tasks were performed. The results revealed that on-field performance could not be predicted on the basis of performance on the perceptual-cognitive tests. Moreover, there were no strong correlations between the level of performance on the different tests. The analysis of gaze behaviour revealed differences in search rate, fixation duration, fixation order, gaze entropy, and percentage viewing time when performing the test of pattern recall, suggesting that it is driven by different processes to those used for anticipation and decision making. Altogether, the results suggest that the perceptual-cognitive tests may not be as strong determinants of actual performance as may have previously been assumed.
Highlights
Perceptual-cognitive skills such as anticipation and decision making are crucial for successful performance in many complex dynamic motor tasks
Accurate measures of perceptual-cognitive skill could be used, for instance, for the purposes of talent identification and development, and to determine the efficacy of training interventions designed to improve performance. It remains unclear what might be the best way to measure perceptual-cognitive skill to accurately reflect the demands of actual on-field performance (Mann & Savelsbergh, 2015; Pinder, Headrick, & Oudejans, 2015; Williams & Ericsson, 2005), and this remains a significant barrier for scientists and practitioners who wish to better understand and improve high-level performance in dynamic motor tasks
Given that the recall of briefly presented patterns of play is rarely required in the natural performance environment (Gorman, Abernethy, & Farrow, 2013; Williams & Ericsson, 2005) and that doing so is unlikely to be coupled to an action, it could be that the impact that absence of action would have on a test of pattern recall might be less pronounced than it would be for tests of anticipation and decision making
Summary
Perceptual-cognitive skills such as anticipation and decision making are crucial for successful performance in many complex dynamic motor tasks. By excluding action from the participant response, Van der Kamp et al (2008) claimed that most existing studies overlook the contribution of the dorsal system that is most likely to be relied on during actual performance This distinction provides reason to believe that video-based tests of anticipation are likely to under-represent (or even misrepresent) the true ability of skilled performers when performing in an actual performance setting (Dicks, Davids, & Button, 2009; Mann et al, 2007). The test of pattern recall is likely to be a highly perceptual test for which there might not be an equivalent test that would rely on a motor response
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