Which Comes First in Sports Vision Training: The Software or the Hardware Update? Utility of Electrophysiological Measures in Monitoring Specialized Visual Training in Youth Athletes

Abstract

In the present study we combined popular methods of sports vision training (SVT) with traditional oculomotor protocols of Optometric Vision Therapy (OVT) and electrophysiological indexes of EEG and VEP activity to monitor training progress and changes in performance of youth ice hockey players without the history of concussion. We hypothesized that administration of OVT protocols before SVT training may result in larger performance improvements compared to the reverse order due to the initial strengthening of visual hardware capable of handling greater demands during training of visuomotor integration and information processing skills (visual software). In a cross-over design 53 youth ice hockey players (ages 13–18) were randomly assigned to one of the two training groups. Group one (hardware-software group) completed 5 weeks of oculomotor training first followed by 5 weeks of software training. For group 2 (software-hardware) the order of procedures were reversed. After 10 weeks of training both groups significantly improved their performance on all but one measure of the Nike/Senaptec Sensory station measures. Additionally, the software-hardware training order resulted in significantly lower frontal theta-to-gamma amplitude ratios on the Nike/Senaptec test of Near-Far Quickness as well as in faster P100 latencies. Both training orders also resulted in significant decreases in post-treatment P100 amplitude to transient VEP stimuli as well as decreased theta-gamma ratios for perception span, Go/No-Go and Hand Reaction time. The observed changes in the electrophysiological indexes in the present study are thought to reflect greater efficiency in visual information processing and cognitive resource allocation following 10 weeks of visual training. There is also some evidence of the greater effectiveness of the software-hardware training order possibly due to the improved preparedness of the oculomotor system in the youth athletes for administration of targeted protocols of the Optometric Vision Therapy.

Effects of in-situ stroboscopic training on visual, visuomotor and reactive agility in youth volleyball players

“…In consequence, the temporal integration of information during stroboscopic protocols becomes more efficient ( Wilkins & Appelbaum, 2020 ), leading to a saccadic dynamics advantage later. This finding corresponds to the study results by Poltavski, Biberdorf & Praus Poltavski (2021) , who observed that training of information processing skills based on visuomotor integration and information processing skills (visual software training) in ice hockey players, indirectly trained their oculomotor system (eye quickness variables, i.e. , near-far quickness and target capture tasks).…”

“…Previous behaviors and neurophysiological evidence ( Hülsdünker, Gunasekara & Mierau, 2021a , 2021b ) showed that visuomotor reaction times after stroboscopic protocols in young elite badminton athletes were largely associated with visual processing rather than motor processes. Similarly, Poltavski, Biberdorf & Praus Poltavski (2021) used electrophysiological indexes of EEG and visual evoked potentials to monitor visual training effects and progress in the performance of youth ice hockey players. Training-induced changes in the electrophysiological indexes reflected greater efficiency in visual information processing and cognitive resource allocation following visual training with a stroboscopic protocol.…”

Effects of saccade delay, side of deficit, and training on detection of catch-up saccades during head-impulse test in virtual-reality-enhanced mannequin

“…In this case, a copy of the hand motor command is sent to prepare the visual cortex (feed-forward process) potentially decreasing the detection latencies 35 . Studies in athletes suggest that this type of process can be improved by training 36 .…”

Electrophysiological Evidence of Stroboscopic Training in Elite Handball Players: Visual Evoked Potentials Study

“…According to Poltavski et al (2021) , the multivariate effect of ten weeks of visual training on P100 latency and amplitude had a partial eta square (ηp 2 ) of 0.13 and 0.46, respectively. Based on these findings, the effect size for the current study was calculated as 0.38.…”

“…As such, the P100 wave reflects early visual processing ( Haxby et al, 2002 ), and this VEP waveform component has been extensively studied and is commonly used in clinical and research settings to assess visual pathway conductivity ( Leocani et al, 2018 ). In a recent study conducted by Poltavski et al (2021) , youth ice hockey players trained using a combination of sports vision training (including stroboscopic intervention), and their progress was monitored with VEP tests. The study reported a significant reduction in P100 latency and amplitude following ten weeks of visual training.…”