COMPARISON OF QUIET EYE DURATION OF THREE DIFFERENT PERFORMANCE LEVEL ATHLETES IN AIR PISTOL SHOOTING: A PRELIMINARY RESEARCH REPORT

Authors

  • İsmail Bayram Dresden Technical University, Faculty of Psychology, Psychology of Learning and Instruction, Dresden, Germany Dresden Technical University, Centre for Tactile Internet with Human in the Loop (CeTI), Dresden, Germany Istanbul Rumeli University, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Department of Coaching Training, Istanbul, Türkiye
  • Ece Ayaz Kanat Marmara University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Exercise and Training Science, Istanbul, Türkiye
  • Deniz Şimşek Eskişehir Technical University, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Department of Physical Education and Sports Teaching, Eskişehir, Türkiye

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejpe.v11i8.5730

Keywords:

eye-tracking, pistol shooting, quiet eye duration, skill level, athlete expertise

Abstract

Prior research has suggested that the duration of the quiet eye, a period of stabilized gaze on a critical target before executing a motor skill, may serve as a reliable marker of expertise. This study aimed to investigate the role of quiet eye durations in shooting performance across various skill levels classified as novice, experienced, and expert, particularly in young populations. A novice, an experienced, and an expert shooter performed four shooting sessions from a 10 meters distance while an advanced eye-tracking system recorded gaze behaviour at a sampling frequency of 100 Hz. Mean and standard deviation values of quiet eye times were computed for each skill level determined as novice (332 ± 144.14 ms), experienced (817.75 ± 5.31 ms), and expert (925.5 ± 103.70 ms). The results revealed a congruent pattern in the relationship between quiet eye duration and skill levels. Expert athlete exhibited significantly longer quiet eye durations compared to other levels, confirming our initial hypothesis. These results emphasize that, as athletes progress in experience, there is a corresponding enhancement in their ability to sustain focus on critical targets during specific motor skills, a crucial aspect of shooting performance. Moreover, this enhancement seems to occur even at young ages. These findings underscore the significance of quiet eye duration in evaluating skill development and expertise in shooting sports. Increasing participant numbers will pave the way for further research to refine our understanding of these dynamics in diverse sporting contexts.

 

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Author Biographies

  • İsmail Bayram, Dresden Technical University, Faculty of Psychology, Psychology of Learning and Instruction, Dresden, Germany Dresden Technical University, Centre for Tactile Internet with Human in the Loop (CeTI), Dresden, Germany Istanbul Rumeli University, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Department of Coaching Training, Istanbul, Türkiye

    İsmail Bayram has completed his PhD in sports biomechanics and is currently working at the Technische Universität Dresden and its Cluster of Excellence, CeTI - (Centre for Tactile Internet with Human-in-the-Loop) as a Postdoctoral Research Associate. He also holds an Assistant Professor position at Istanbul Rumeli University. His research focuses on multisensory experiments using technologies like motion capture, electromyography, and eye tracking to enhance sensory-motor skill acquisition, particularly in high-level sports.

  • Ece Ayaz Kanat, Marmara University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Exercise and Training Science, Istanbul, Türkiye

    Ece Ayaz Kanat is a PhD student at Marmara University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Movement and Training Science Program. Ece does research on eye movements and the psychophysiology of basketball players and other athletes. She is currently working at a research center in Mississippi, USA.

  • Deniz Şimşek, Eskişehir Technical University, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Department of Physical Education and Sports Teaching, Eskişehir, Türkiye

    Deniz Şimşek is a Professor Dr. at Eskisehir Technical University, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Department of Physical Education and Sports Teaching. Her main research areas are talent identification and guidance in sports, exercise and sports physiology, athletic performance in archery, game and performance analyses and biomechanical analyses of sport-related technical skills.

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Published

2024-12-17

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 8 (2024)

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