Decision making and visual perception in soccer players under pressure

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Motor Behavior and Sport Psychology, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 . Professor of Motor Behavior, Department of Motor Behavior and Sports Psychology, Faculty of Sports Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

3 . Professor of Motor Behavior, Department of Motor Behavior and Sports Psychology, Faculty of Sports Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

4 Associate Professor of Health and Sports Medicine, Department of Sports Injuries and Biomechanics, Faculty of Sports Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background: Players are under more pressure in soccer matches. In those conditions, they must use visual information to make better decisions. However, few studies have investigated such conditions of soccer players.
Aim: The aim of the present study investigates the effect of under-pressure conditions on decision-making and visual search behavior of soccer players.
Materials and Methods: Eighteen soccer players with a mean age of 14.5 (and SD ±1.5) from Tehran Youth Premier League took part in this study. Decision-making task included 60 images of 3 simulated soccer conditions on a monitor including neutral (no pressure), result pressure, and monitoring pressure. During all of these conditions, eye movements were assessed by an eye tracker device.
Results: The results of repeated measures ANOVA test showed the speed and accuracy of decision making, the number of fixations and the mean duration of eye fixation were significantly affected in all three conditions. In addition, the results showed a significant reduction in decision-making speed in two conditions of result and monitoring pressures and a significant increase in decision accuracy and the mean number and duration of eye fixation in the two conditions of result and monitoring pressures compared to neutral pressure.
Conclusion: Due to the changes in visual and speed-accuracy mechanism of decision making and the importance of these factors in the successful performance of soccer players, it is recommended that soccer coaches create psychological pressure conditions during training sessions, ask players to see with better concentration and attention, and to decide more quickly and accurately so that they can better overcome the challenges in competition environment.

Keywords

References

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Sport Sciences and Health Research
Volume 17, Issue 1
January 2025
Pages 107-119

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