Page 106 - The Indian Optician Digital Edition January-February 2022

ENHANCING

SPORTS SKILLS

BY SPORTS

VISION TRAINING

VISUAL TALENTS OF ATHLETES:
SANJAY K MISHRA DR JYOTI BHUSHAN
Scientist, Dr. R P Centre BABBAR Dynamic visual acuity, eye tracking,
for Ophthalmic Sciences, MD, Ex Senior Consultant peripheral vision, depth perception,
AIIMS, New Delhi Medical, NIHFW
eye-hand coordination, colour vision,
visualisation, visual memory, visual
concentration, and visual reaction time
are some of the visual talents that an
athlete must-have, the more the better.
Any sport involving a fast-moving ball
necessitates the use of eye-tracking,
such as in cricket, baseball, football, and
volleyball. In sports, having the ability to
VIBHA KUMARI ALINA MALIK use your eye and hand in accordance
Asstt Prof, Program 2 Yr, MOptom, Jamia with what you are seeing is crucial (like
nd
Co-Ordinator, School of Hamdard in golf and skating). A player's visual
Nursing Sciences & Allied reaction speed allows them to hit the ball
Health, Jamia Hamdard
rapidly, as in table tennis. In your mind's
eye, visualisation allows you to envision
here is a lot more to vision than simply yourself performing effectively such
seeing clearly. How well you play your sport is as in shooting and archery. The ability
Tinfluenced by several interconnected vision to evaluate distance is aided by depth
skills. Just as exercising and practice can boost perception, for example, in baseball (see
2
your speed and energy, they also can improve your figure 1).
visible fitness and accuracy. Athletes, especially the SPORTS VISION TESTS:
ones engaged in certain high-risk and dangerous
sports activities, need to take into account eye It is of utmost importance to assess
safety. Sports-associated eye accidents can be visual capabilities in athletes. For this
4
prevented with the correct protective eyewear. 1 the eye care practitioner can conduct
some tests such as:

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