Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Hülsdünker, Thorben
• Gunasekara, Nadira
• Mierau, Andreas

Titel

Short- and Long-Term Stroboscopic Training Effects on Visuomotor Performance in Elite Youth Sports. Part 1: Reaction and Behavior

Ist Teil von

• Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 2021-05, Vol.53 (5), p.960-972

Ort / Verlag

United States: American College of Sports Medicine

Erscheinungsjahr

2021

Link zum Volltext

Quelle

Journals@Ovid Complete

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• PURPOSERecent research suggests that stroboscopic training is an effective tool to improve visual and visuomotor performance. However, many studies were limited by small samples, short training interventions, inexperienced athletes, and an exclusive focus on short-term effects. This first part of the study evaluates the short- and long-term effects of stroboscopic training on visuomotor reaction speed in elite athletes. METHODS45 young elite badminton athletes participated in this study, of which 32 (13.7 years) were included in the final data analysis. Participants were assigned to an intervention (stroboscopic vision) or control group (normal vision). Both groups performed identical badminton-specific training drills implemented into the regular training schedule. Prior to and after a 10-week training period and after a 6-week retention interval, athletes performed a laboratory reaction test to determine EMG onset and visuomotor reaction time (VMRT). In addition, a field test investigated stroboscopic training effects on the quality of ball-racquet contact and net drop performance, respectively. RESULTSVMRT decreased immediately after stroboscopic training (pre251 ms, post238 ms, p=0.005, d=0.63) and reactions remained significantly faster following the retention interval (retention241 ms, p=0.041, d=0.50). Analyses on EMG onset data suggested these adaptations were attributable to the pre-motor, rather than the motor time. VMRT remained unchanged in the control group (pre252 ms, post256, retention253 ms, p > 0.99). Field-test performance improvements were observed for the quality of ball-racquet contact and net drop performance, however changes were not different between groups. CONCLUSIONStroboscopic training induced short- and long-term accelerations of visuomotor reaction speed in elite badminton players. Stroboscopic eyewear may be an effective training tool to accelerate visuomotor reactions in highly skilled athletes.