The cognitive workload of air pistol shooters on the aiming task

Abstract

Background: Pupil dilations of the eye are known to correspond to central cognitive processes. Pupil size variations have been used for many years as a window on the mind, and various pupillary features have been associated with a number of cognitive processes Aim: The aim of this study is to examine levels of cognitive workload that occur during the aiming task of air-pistol shooting athletes according to the change that takes place in the pupils. Methods: Eight right-handed skilled male shooters (4 elite and 4 novice) were recruited in this study. A total of 320 shots - 160 dry (unscored) shots and 160 live (scored) shots - were recorded with a mobile eye-tracking device. The obtained pupil data were subjected to biometric analysis. The athletes’ pupil sizes were determined with the independent samples t-test according to whether the shot made was scored or unscored and whether the athletes were elite or novice. The athletes’ pupil size values at the beginning and end of the shot were obtained using the paired samples t-test. Results: On completion of the shot, the sport shooters’ pupils dilated on average by 2.85 mm at a rate of 32.5% compared to the situation at shot onset. Moreover, novice shooters’ pupils dilated more when firing scored shots than when firing unscored shots. According to the research results, it can be said that sports shooters engage in intensive cognitive processes while aiming and trigger pulling immediately before firing the shot. Novice shooters engage in more intensive cognitive processes when firing scored shots than when firing unscored shots. Conclusion: According to the results of the research, it can be said that in the sport of air pistol shooting, giving priority to dry (unscored) shooting training can contribute positively to the development of novice athletes’ aiming task skills and cognitive load capacity. Keywords: Cognitive workload, cognitive processes, eye tracking, air pistol, shooting