Using visual guidance to retrain an experienced golfer's gaze: A case study.
Eye movements are essential for both predictive and reactive control of complex motor skills such as the golf swing. We examined the use of a visually guided learning protocol to retrain an experienced golfer's point-of-gaze immediately prior to execution of the full golf swing; his swing, and his gaze behaviour, had become established over more than a decade of practice and competition. Performance and eye movement data were obtained, from baseline, through intervention, to retention, for a total of 159 shots struck at a target 200 yards away. Results show that, at baseline, not only was the golfer's point-of-gaze not at the intended/predicted location, at the top-rear of the ball, but there was also high trial-to-trial variability. A bespoke visual guidance protocol improved his gaze behaviour considerably, in terms of accuracy and consistency - and this was reflected in accuracy and consistency of his shots. Implications of oculomotor interventions for the relearning of established motor skills are discussed.
a Division of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences , Brunel University London , London , UK.
Daniel T
DT
Bishop
a Division of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences , Brunel University London , London , UK.
Neil
N
Addington
a Division of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences , Brunel University London , London , UK.
Giorgia
G
D'Innocenzo
D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005403:Fixation, Ocular / Q000502:physiology*; D006055:Golf / Q000193:education* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
Eye movements; golf; learning; oculomotor; sport