Abstract - Eye-Tracking Analysis of Perceptual-Cognitive Processes in Combat Sports: A Narrative Review
Background. The present study consists of a review of the literature in the field of combat sports in relation to perceptualcognitive processes assessed with eye trackers.
Problem and aim. The goal of the study was to provide practical training guidelines based on the most recent research explaining the mechanisms of visual perception.
Methods. Five combat sports and martial arts were selected for in-depth analysis of the control of visual processes: fencing, kendo, judo, karate, and boxing. Using two basic metrics of oculomotor functions: fixations and saccades, and the novice-expert research paradigm, practical conclusions were drawn.
Results. Based on a meta-analysis of 12 selected research papers, it was concluded that in martial arts, experts generally showed longer fixations compared to novices. In addition, elite athletes selected those areas of interest (AOIs) that were most predictive of the opponent’s fighting strategy.
Conclusion. Analyses of eye movements (saccades), i.e. the ability to switch attention efficiently, revealed a significant superiority of the elite athletes. The speed of initiating fixations and saccadic movements was interpreted as decisionmaking efficiency. Speed metrics differentiated expert athletes from novices.