Effect of Sport-Vision Training and Mindfulness on Vision Perception and Decision-Making Accuracy of Basketball's Referees

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of sports-vision training and mindfulness on visual perception and decision-making accuracy of basketball referees. The participants of this study consisted of 52 (20 females and 32 males) basketball referees who were selected using convenience sampling method and matched based on gender and degree of judgment in four groups: sports-vision training, mindfulness training, combined (sports-vision training and mindfulness training), and control group. The sports-vision training and combined groups participated in an eight week sports vision training three sessions per week. Mindfulness and combined groups received mindfulness training for eight weeks one session per week. During this period, the control group performed their daily activities. Before intervention and one day and also one month after the intervention, the accuracy of referees’ decision making was evaluated using video test and visual perception by eye tracking device. Data were analyzed using repeated measuresANOVA.Findings of the study showed that visual perception and decision-making accuracy in sports vision training, mindfulness training and combined groups were significantly better than the control group in the post-test and follow up, but no significant difference was observed between the training groups. Therefore, it is suggested that sports-vision training and mindfulness training be used to increase visual perception and accuracy of referee’s decision making

Keywords

• sport-vision training
• mindfulness
• visual perception
• decision making
• referees