Stroboscopic Vision When Interacting With Multiple Moving Objects: Perturbation Is Not the Same as Elimination.

Simon J Bennett,Makoto Uji,Spencer J Hayes

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01290

Simon J Bennett, Makoto Uji + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01290

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Abstract

Motivated by recent findings of improved perceptual processing and perceptual-motor skill following stroboscopic vision training, the current study examined the performance and acquisition effects of stroboscopic vision methods that afford a different visual experience. In Experiment 1, we conducted a within-subject design study to examine performance of a multiple object tracking (MOT) task in different stroboscopic vision conditions (Nike Vapor Strobe®, PLATO visual occlusion, and intermittent display presentation) operating at 5.6, 3.2, or 1.8 Hz. We found that participants maintained MOT performance in the Vapor Strobe condition irrespective of strobe rate. However, MOT performance deteriorated as strobe rate was reduced in the other two stroboscopic vision conditions. Moreover, at the lowest strobe rate (1.8 Hz) there was an increase in probe reaction time, thus indicating an increased attentional demand due to the stroboscopic vision. In Experiment 2, we conducted a mixed design study to examine if practice in different stroboscopic vision conditions (Nike Vapor Strobe® and PLATO visual occlusion) influenced acquisition of a novel precision-aiming task [i.e., multiple object avoidance (MOA) task] compared to a normal vision group. Participants in the PLATO visual occlusion group exhibited worse performance during practice than the Vapor Strobe and normal vision groups. At post-test, the Vapor Strobe group demonstrated greater success and reduced end-point error than the normal vision and PLATO groups. We interpret these findings as showing that both an intermittent perturbation (Nike Vapor Strobe®) and elimination (PLATO visual occlusion and intermittent display presentation) of visual motion and form are more attention demanding (Experiment 1), however, the intermittent perturbation, but not elimination, of visual motion and form can facilitate acquisition of perceptual-motor skill (Experiment 2) in situations where it is necessary to maintain and update a spatio-temporal representation of multiple moving objects.

Highlights

There is no doubting the importance of vision in guiding behavior as we interact within our surrounds, whether it is for object manipulation during tool use, or ambulatory activities such as descending a staircase or navigating along a busy road
Motivated by the recent interest in stroboscopic vision training as a means to improve perceptual processing (Appelbaum et al, 2011, 2012; Smith and Mitroff, 2012), and thereby facilitate acquisition of perceptual-motor skill (Mitroff et al, 2013), the current study compared the effect of different stroboscopic vision conditions on multiple object tracking (MOT) and a related precisionaiming task requiring multiple object avoidance (MOA)
Extending upon previous work (Smith and Mitroff, 2012; Mitroff et al, 2013), these findings demonstrate that acquisition of a perceptual-motor task, which here requires sustained and distributed attention to maintain and update the spatio-temporal representation of participant’s movement relative to multiple moving objects, can be facilitated by practicing in stroboscopic vision that perturbs visual motion and form

Summary

Introduction

There is no doubting the importance of vision in guiding behavior as we interact within our surrounds, whether it is for object manipulation during tool use, or ambulatory activities such as descending a staircase or navigating along a busy road. Processes shown to transfer positively when vision is subsequently restored to normal include short-term visual memory (Appelbaum et al, 2012), coincidence-anticipation timing (Smith and Mitroff, 2012), and motion coherence and attention in central vision (Appelbaum et al, 2011). Adaptation in such underlying processes following stroboscopic vision training has been implicated in improvements in sports-specific skills in ice-hockey (Mitroff et al, 2013) and baseball (Clark et al, 2012), thereby providing some support for anecdotal reports of stroboscopic vision training by elite athletes in sports including American football, basketball and alpine skiing

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