A multidimensional approach to skilled perception and performance in sport

Three experiments examined the relative importance of attributes determined largely by the efficiency of the visual/central nervous system versus cogn itive domain-specific skills, in the determination of expertise in soccer. In Experiment 1, expert and intermediate soccer players were assessed on va rious non-specific abilities including: processing (simple reaction time, p eripheral reaction time, visual correction time), optometric (static, dynam ic and mesopic acuity), and perimetric parameters (horizontal and vertical peripheral range). In Experiment 2, domain-specific variables were assessed including complex decision speed and accuracy, number of visual fixations, fixation duration, and fixation location in solving game problems. Stimuli were initially presented by slides (Experiment 2) and later by 16 mm film (Experiment 3). Eye movements were recorded and analysed. A stepwise discri minant analysis of both non-specific abilities and soccer-specific skills r evealed an average squared canonical correlation=0.84, with the significant step variables all being domain-specific skills. Copyright (C) 1999 John W iley & Sons, Ltd.