How do they make it look so easy? The expert orienteer’s cognitive advantage

Eccles, David W.; Arsal, Güler

doi:10.1080/02640414.2014.951953

Cited by 26 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Manuscript to be reviewed are consistent with those obtained from interviews (Eccles & Arsal, 2015). This research found that expert orienteers have a strong ability to simplify maps and focus only on the information related to the task.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 61%

Peer Review #2 of "Visual search characteristics of precise map reading by orienteers (v0.2)"

2019

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This article compares the differences in eye movements between orienteers of different skill levels on map information searches and explores the visual search patterns of orienteers during precise map reading so as to explore the cognitive characteristics of orienteers' visual search. We recruited 44 orienteers at different skill levels (experts, advanced beginners, and novices), and recorded their behavioral responses and eye movement data when reading maps of different complexities. We found that the complexity of map (complex vs. simple) affects the quality of orienteers' route planning during precise map reading. Specifically, when observing complex maps, orienteers of higher competency tend to have a better quality of route planning (i.e., a shorter route planning time, a longer gaze time, and a more concentrate distribution of gazes). Expert orienteers demonstrated obvious cognitive advantages in the ability to find key information. We also found that in the stage of route planning, expert orienteers and advanced beginners first pay attention to the checkpoint description table. The expert group extracted information faster, and their attention was more concentrated, whereas the novice group paid less attention to the checkpoint description table, and their gaze was scattered. We found that experts regarded the information in the checkpoint description table as the key to the problem and they give priority to this area in route decision making. These results advance our understanding of professional knowledge and problem solving in orienteering.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 61%

Peer Review #2 of "Visual search characteristics of precise map reading by orienteers (v0.2)"

2019

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“…With the development of eye movement technology, the visual search strategy of orienteers can be measured more precisely as compared with the research methods of interview and self-report. Zhu et al (2011) conducted eye-tracking research on competent players and novices, the results of which are consistent with those obtained from interviews (Eccles & Arsal, 2015). This research found that expert orienteers have a strong ability to simplify maps and focus only on the information related to the task.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 52%

Visual search characteristics of precise map reading by orienteers

Liu¹

2019

PeerJ

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This article compares the differences in eye movements between orienteers of different skill levels on map information searches and explores the visual search patterns of orienteers during precise map reading so as to explore the cognitive characteristics of orienteers’ visual search. We recruited 44 orienteers at different skill levels (experts, advanced beginners, and novices), and recorded their behavioral responses and eye movement data when reading maps of different complexities. We found that the complexity of map (complex vs. simple) affects the quality of orienteers’ route planning during precise map reading. Specifically, when observing complex maps, orienteers of higher competency tend to have a better quality of route planning (i.e., a shorter route planning time, a longer gaze time, and a more concentrate distribution of gazes). Expert orienteers demonstrated obvious cognitive advantages in the ability to find key information. We also found that in the stage of route planning, expert orienteers and advanced beginners first pay attention to the checkpoint description table. The expert group extracted information faster, and their attention was more concentrated, whereas the novice group paid less attention to the checkpoint description table, and their gaze was scattered. We found that experts regarded the information in the checkpoint description table as the key to the problem and they give priority to this area in route decision making. These results advance our understanding of professional knowledge and problem solving in orienteering.

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“…The second day we observed faster performance times, lower intensity of dysfunctional psychobiosocial states, and improved visual attention and attention/mental flexibility ( Table 2 and Fig 2 ). These results highlight the impact of the cognitive burden usually associated with orienteering race that is added to the physical load [ 15 ]. Findings are also aligned with our last study hypothesis (H 3 ) stating that a substantial reduction in the cognitive load of the race, due to the familiarity with the course, would result in enhanced psychophysical states and improved performance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This implies that they plan a route from the map during the race. Successful performance requires considerable visual attention to critical cues from the map, the environment, and the travel [ 15 ]. Attending simultaneously to the three sources of information and making effective decisions under time constraints and competitive stress entails complex and dynamic processes of perception, encoding, retrieval, decision making, and emotion regulation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychophysiological responses of junior orienteers under competitive pressure

et al. 2018

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The purpose of the study was to examine psychobiosocial states, cognitive functions, endocrine responses (i.e., salivary cortisol and chromogranin A), and performance under competitive pressure in orienteering athletes. The study was grounded in the individual zones of optimal functioning (IZOF) and biopsychosocial models. Fourteen junior orienteering athletes (7 girls and 7 boys), ranging in age from 15 to 20 years (M = 16.93, SD = 1.77) took part in a two-day competitive event. To enhance competitive pressure, emphasis was placed on the importance of the competition and race outcome. Psychophysiological and performance data were collected at several points before, during, and after the races. Results showed that an increase in cortisol levels was associated with competitive pressure and reflected in higher perceived exertion (day 1, r = .32; day 2, r = .46), higher intensity of dysfunctional states (day 1, r = .59; day 2, r = .55), lower intensity of functional states (day 1, r = -.36; day 2, r = -.33), and decay in memory (day 1, r = -.27; day 2, r = -.35), visual attention (day 1, r = -.56; day 2, r = -.35), and attention/mental flexibility (day 1, r = .16; day 2, r = .26) tasks. The second day we observed better performance times, lower intensity of dysfunctional states, lower cortisol levels, improved visual attention and attention/mental flexibility (p < .050). Across the two competition days, chromogranin A levels were higher (p < .050) on the most difficult loops of the race in terms of both physical and psychological demands. Findings suggest emotional, cognitive, psychophysiological, and performance variables to be related and to jointly change across different levels of cognitive and physical load. Overall results are discussed in light of the IZOF and biopsychosocial models. The procedure adopted in the study also supports the feasibility of including additional cognitive load for possible practical applications.

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How do they make it look so easy? The expert orienteer’s cognitive advantage

Cited by 26 publications

References 23 publications

Peer Review #2 of "Visual search characteristics of precise map reading by orienteers (v0.2)"

Peer Review #2 of "Visual search characteristics of precise map reading by orienteers (v0.2)"

Visual search characteristics of precise map reading by orienteers

Psychophysiological responses of junior orienteers under competitive pressure

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