Optimal methods for estimating sports vision in kendo athletes

Abstract

This study investigated whether the eight standard tests of sports vision used in Japan appropriately reflect sports vision; whether all eight tests are necessary; and if not, which combination yields the optimal model. Participants were kendo practitioners (exercise group, n = 41) and those with no exercise habits (non-exercise group, n = 65). The performance of the two groups on all eight tests were compared. The groups differed in static visual acuity, kinetic visual acuity, and eye/hand coordination. A high correlation (r = 0.75) was observed between static visual acuity and kinetic visual acuity, while contrast sensitivity was moderately correlated with static visual acuity and kinetic visual acuity (r = 0.6), and dynamic visual acuity was moderately correlated with eye/hand coordination (r = − 0.66). Logistic regression analysis indicated that it is not necessary to conduct all eight tests; the optimal model included static visual acuity, visual reaction time, and eye/hand coordination. Our results suggest that static visual acuity, visual reaction time, and eye/hand coordination are sufficient for assessing visual function in kendo practitioners. For other sports, it may be possible to construct discriminative models using the same method and determine which aspects of visual function and which training methods to emphasise in a given sport.

Sports and Kinetic Visual Acuity

“…Age-related decline in KVA has also been observed in young and middle-aged soccer players (n = 44) and in nonathletes of the same age group (n = 45) 25) . Recently, Kudo et al reported kendo players (n = 41; 35.4 ± 15.7 years, range 19-65 years) had significantly higher KVA (p < 0.01) than nonexercisers (n = 65; 38.1 ± 17.1 years, range 19-71 years) 26) .…”

Association of military-specific reaction time performance with physical fitness and visual skills

“…Additionally, RT has been associated with the ability to quickly assess the position and direction of an object in space ( i.e ., visual perception), however, no link has been reported between RT and kinetic visual acuity and visual field ( Kohmura et al, 2007 ; Mańkowska et al, 2015 ). Both visual skills variables and RT appear as important predictors for estimating sport vision performance ( Kudo et al, 2021 ), cognition in older women ( Anstey, Lord & Williams, 1997 ), driving skills ( Plainis & Murray, 2002 ), and falling prevalence ( Lord et al, 1994 ) indicating their potential co-dependent nature. The relationship between visual skills and RT was neither explored in in-duty military personnel although they are required to be vigilant, fast in decision making and to have maximal concentration during each professional task ( Yanovich et al, 2015 ).…”