An occlusion paradigm to assess the importance of the timing of the quiet eye fixation

Abstract

The aim of the study was to explore the significance of the 'timing' of the quiet eye (QE), and the relative importance of late (online control) or early (pre-programming) visual information for accuracy. Twenty-seven skilled golfers completed a putting task using an occlusion paradigm with three conditions: early (prior to backswing), late (during putter stroke), and no (control) occlusion of vision. Performance, QE, and kinematic variables relating to the swing were measured. Results revealed that providing only early visual information (occluding late visual information) had a significant detrimental effect on performance and kinematic measures, compared to the control condition (no occlusion), despite QE durations being maintained. Conversely, providing only late visual information (occluding early visual information) was not significantly detrimental to performance or kinematics, with results similar to those in the control condition. These findings imply that the visual information extracted during movement execution - the late proportion of the QE - is critical when golf putting. The results challenge the predominant view that the QE serves only a pre-programming function. We propose that the different proportions of the QE (before and during movement) may serve different functions in supporting accuracy in golf putting.

Examining the response programming function of the Quiet Eye: Do tougher shots need a quieter eye?

“…99.9 ms; Vine et al 2015). The early phase of the QE (QE-early) started at QE onset and ended with the initiation of the backswing.…”

“…the two-dimensional Euclidean distance between the top of the ball and the edge of the target; in cm) was recorded using a tape measure after each putt (Vine et al 2015). Error scores were then averaged (mean radial error) for each condition as a measure of performance.…”

“…Previous research has demonstrated that reductions in the late QE duration result in participants missing critical information regarding putter location and the putter-ball contact, leading to inferior performance (Vine et al 2013). As such, the late QE is suggested to be responsible for the online control of movements (Vine et al 2015). While exploratory, we suggested that a manipulation related to increasing the difficulty of making an optimal putter-ball impact (a putter insert) will likely influence the late proportion of the QE (online guidance of impact quality) to a greater extent than the early proportion of the QE.…”

Assessing ocular activity during performance of motor skills using electrooculography

“…They examined the quiet eye in different phases of the putt and found that, compared to missed putts, holed putts were characterized by a longer postmovement initiation quiet eye, whereas the premovement initiation quiet eye was not different. Second, Vine et al (2015) tested 27 experienced golfers (mean handicap 5.8) as they putted balls to a 10-ft (i.e., 3-m) distant hole. Participants' view of the ball was occluded either before or after movement initiation, through a liquid crystal glass panel-positioned above the ball-turning opaque.…”

Quiet eye facilitates sensorimotor preprograming and online control of precision aiming in golf putting

“…These differences can be attributed to the task constraints, such as: different distances, and thus differing processing demands; aiming at a target, rather than a hole; and the use of truly novice participants, compared to skilled or less-skilled participants in other studies (Vickers 1992, 2004; Vine et al 2013, 2015). …”