A comparison of visual search strategies of elite and non-elite tennis players through cluster analysis

Abstract

Considerable research has documented that successful performance in interceptive tasks (such as return of serve in tennis) is based on the performers' capability to capture appropriate anticipatory information prior to the flight path of the approaching object. Athletes of higher skill tend to fixate on different locations in the playing environment prior to initiation of a skill than their lesser skilled counterparts. The purpose of this study was to examine visual search behaviour strategies of elite (world ranked) tennis players and non-ranked competitive tennis players (n = 43) utilising cluster analysis. The results of hierarchical (Ward's method) and nonhierarchical (k means) cluster analyses revealed three different clusters. The clustering method distinguished visual behaviour of high, middle-and low-ranked players. Specifically, high-ranked players demonstrated longer mean fixation duration and lower variation of visual search than middle-and low-ranked players. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that cluster analysis is a useful tool for detecting and analysing the areas of interest for use in experimental analysis of expertise and to distinguish visual search variables among participants'.

Combined assessment of attentional reserve and cognitive‐motor effort under various levels of challenge with a dry EEG system

“…This would be well suited for real-time brain monitoring since a limited number of sensors can be quickly set up while reducing the computational burden as previously observed in brain computer interface studies (Popescu et al, 2007). Such an approach could be complemented by other metrics derived from eye and heart activity to assess attentional processes and more generally cognitive-motor functions under various conditions of performance (He, Wang, Gao, & Chen, 2012;Murray & Russoniello, 2012;Murray & Hunfalvay, 2017;Wilson, 2002;Wilson & Russell, 2003). Third, mental workload assessment with dry EEG systems is advantageous since the setup of participants is fast and no cleaning of participants' hair is needed after data recording (Baek et al, 2013;Casson, 2013;Chi et al, 2012;Guger et al, 2012;Hairston et al, 2014;Mayaud et al, 2013;Zander et al, 2011).…”

Exploring match performance of elite tennis players : the multifactorial game-related effects in Grand Slams

“…Previous study showed that experienced and high ranked players had longer fixation duration for ritual, serve and action phases of the serve, compared to novice and lower ranked players. This gives them the perceptual advantage while processing information, anticipating accurately the strokes and making quicker reaction (Murray & Hunfalvay, 2017). Future study should examine the difference of return position, stroke techniques, net clearance and return locations to better understand top player's returning behavior.…”

“…The available research already evidenced that those constraints might be originated from the differences of match location (O'Donoghue & Ingram, 2001), players' qualities (Cui, Gómez, Gonçalves, Liu, & Sampaio, 2017) and weather condition of which players were conscious prior to a match (Morante & Brotherhood, 2007); and from the uncertainty of opponent's actual tactics (Ma et al, 2013), match score-line (O'Donoghue, 2012), spatial-temporal relationship among players and ball (Carvalho et al, 2013;Martinez-Gallego et al, 2013), physiological fatigue (Gomes et al, 2011;Reid & Duffield, 2014), noise of the audience (Dube & Tatz, 1991) and even the line-calling bias from referees that occurred within the match (Carboch et al, 2016). Therefore, adjusting to the constant change of those constraints and making correspondent tactical decisions should be an essential attribute reinforced in the development of professional tennis players (Murray & Hunfalvay, 2017;Triolet, Benguigui, Le Runigo, & Williams, 2013).…”

“…With this in mind, players are required to perceive, interpret and anticipate the beforementioned factors efficiently in order to have enough time to respond and execute the next shot with good techniques (Cowden, 2016;Murray & Hunfalvay, 2017). However, it is difficult to maintain this ability with consistency under highly intensive and competitive match situation given that their physical and physiological status are significantly impaired by match fatigue and the technical performance underwent a decline in efficiency and accuracy (Davey, Thorpe, & Williams, 2002;Gomes et al, 2011;Hornery et al, 2007).…”

“…and experienced football players were found to have cognitive advantage over inexperienced players for being faster to recognize and process the emergent features of play pattern so that they can anticipate better opponent's actions and make quicker reactions (Williams, 2000). In tennis, the only previous study that attempted to compare the visual search strategies of "expert and novice players" used players' ranking as the discriminator (Murray & Hunfalvay, 2017), but little is known about how tennis players' competitive performance is influenced by experience.…”