Mechanisms underlying skilled anticipation and recognition in a dynamic and temporally constrained domain

Abstract

We examined the mechanisms underlying skilled anticipation and recognition in a dynamic, interactive, and temporally constrained domain. Skilled and less-skilled participants viewed dynamic film stimuli, anticipated event outcome, and provided immediate retrospective verbal reports. Previously viewed and novel sequences were then presented in film or point-light display format. Participants made recognition judgements and again gave retrospective verbal reports on their thought processes. Skilled participants demonstrated superior anticipation accuracy and were more sensitive in distinguishing previously seen from novel stimuli than less-skilled participants. Skilled participants utilised more complex memory representations than less-skilled individuals, as indicated by references in their retrospective reports to more evaluation and prediction statements. The representations activated during anticipation were more complex than those for recognition judgements in both groups. Findings are discussed with reference to long-term working memory theory.

Anticipation in soccer: a systematic review

“…et al [2] Male, professional, semi-professional (n = 11) and recreational English soccer players (n = 8)…”

“…The study developed by North et al [2] examined the mechanisms underlying skilled anticipation in a dynamic, interactive and temporally constrained domain. For this purpose, soccer players at different competitive levels were tested (11 skilled and 8 less-skilled male soccer players aged 25.5 ± 4 and 24 ± 1.6 years, respectively), through the use of video sequences.…”

“…We found that these analyses were performed with the aim of comparing players regarding their competitive level [1,2,[8][9][10][11][13][14][15]. In the study of Ward and Williams [8], videotaped scenes were used to assess (besides anticipation), memory and situational probabilities (i.e.…”

“…The ability to anticipate actions from teammates, opponents and the movement/direction of the ball has been considered essential to expert performance in soccer [1,2]. Consequently, better players are not always those who are able to see a move but rather those who are able to foresee it [3].…”

What mental process favours quality decision-making in young soccer players?

“…As demonstrated by studies on expertise, short term planning is based on an expert's ability to predict and foresee a result of an action he could realize 27 . The negative relation may be explained by the characteristics of the specific context of invasion games.…”