An Event-Related Visual Occlusion Method for Examining Anticipatory Skill in Natural Interceptive Tasks
DOI: 10.3758/BRM.42.2.556
archive: archived pipeline: cataloged verified
Abstract
Behavior Research Methods 2010, 42 (2), 556-562 doi:10.3758/BRM.42.2.556 An event-related visual occlusion method for examining anticipatory skill in natural interceptive tasks DAVID L. MANN University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and Australian Institute of Sport, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, Australia BRUCE ABERNETHY University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China and University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia AND DAMIAN FARROW, MARK DAVIS, AND WAY
Summary
Presents an event-related visual occlusion method for examining anticipatory skill in natural interceptive tasks. The automated method uses force-plate triggers linked to identifiable events within the action sequence (e.g., penultimate foot strike in cricket bowling) to time-precisely occlude vision using liquid crystal goggles. Applied to cricket batting: batsmen can pick up useful information from bowler's prerelease movement patterns, confirmed by occluding vision before ball release and measuring batting accuracy.
Key finding
Skilled performers use prerelease kinematic cues (e.g., bowler's foot strike patterns) to anticipate outcomes. The automated event-related occlusion method provides superior temporal precision compared to manual triggering, reducing unusable trials substantially. Batsmen who could see the penultimate foot strike but not ball release still performed significantly above chance, confirming the value of prerelease information pickup.
Methodology
Method paper with application study. Automated liquid crystal occlusion goggles triggered by force-plate data in cricket bowling/batting paradigm. Testing anticipation from prerelease cues. Measures: batting accuracy, occlusion timing precision, usable trial rate. Participants: elite cricket batsmen and bowlers.
Sample size: Elite cricket players (AIS athletes; exact N from application study)
Quality score: 8 / 5