Abstract
D.Phil. (Optometry)
Vision is a learned skill that implies an appropriate interpretation of what is seen and
interpreted (Abel, 1999). Neural pathways are established as a result of learning,
strengthened by achieving a task goal and grow stronger as practice progresses (Edelman,
1992).
According to Davis, Kimmet and Auty (1990) it takes 500 hours of practice to change a skill
and use that skill competently during competitions. Therefore, training sessions should be
structured around learning the perceptual and cognitive skills needed for successful decisions
in different environments (Vickers, 2007). Four elements - skill execution, concentration,
response time and decision-making - were identified and are known to have a great effect on
overall sports performance (Coffey and Reichow, 1995; Erickson, 2007 & Vickers, 2007). A
reliable model that could be used to evaluate performance levels by applying these four
cardinal elements of performance has been developed through this study.
Twenty five rugby players participated in the study which was conducted over a period of
three years. The sample was divided into four groups of which three were experimental and
one was a control group. Two of the three experimental groups, who came from different
regional teams, had specific visual training in the national side. The third experimental group
had off-season visual training only and the control group had no visual training at all. Two
methods were used to evaluate performance: in the first method three independent top class
raters conducted the performance evaluation and the second was based on data collection.
Both methods involved the Verusco© system.
The results indicated a poor correlation among the raters: two of the three raters agreed that
Group 4 (Regional team B, that played for the national side and had specific visual training)
performed significantly better than Group 3 (Regional team B that had no visual training) in
decision-making during season 1 and Group 1 (Regional team A) showed a significant
improvement in skill execution from season 1 to season 2. Group 1 (Regional team A) had
non–specific off-season visual training. Groups 2 (Regional team A, that played for the
national side) and 4 (Regional team B, that played for the national side) received specific
visual training and Group 3 (Regional team B) had no visual training at all.