According to a new study from the University of Waterloo, the visual abilities of physical athletes are better than those of action video game players .
Thus, athletes who play sports with a high level of movement, such as soccer, football, or baseball, often score better on dynamic visual acuity tests than non-athletes.
Real VS Virtual
While visual acuity (clarity or acuity of vision) is most often measured under static conditions during annual check-ups with an optometrist, research shows that testing dynamic visual acuity is a more effective measure of a person’s ability to Seeing Moving Objects Clearly: A Skill Baseline Necessary for Success in Physical and Electronic Sports .
Our research team wanted to investigate whether action video gamers, who, like esports athletes, regularly immerse themselves in a fast-paced, dynamic 2D video environment for long periods of time, would also display superior levels of visual acuity. dynamics on par with athletes competing in physical sport.
Ultimately, the athletes showed greater ability to identify smaller moving targets, suggesting that there are visual processing differences between them and our video game players. All participants were matched based on their level of static and error visual acuity. refraction, distinguishing dynamic visual acuity as the variable factor in your test performance .
Our findings show that there is still a benefit to training in a 3D environment. For athletes looking to develop stronger visual skills, the wider visual field and depth perception that come with physical training can be crucial in improving their dynamic visual acuity and ultimately their athletic performance.