A growing body of evidence suggests that visual abilities can be strengthened and enhanced by means of appropriate visual training, making an athlete’s eyesight one of the most important pieces of equipment they have.
“Every sport requires a set of dynamic visual skills that are critical to achieving peak performance,” explains DeAnn Fitzgerald, OD. “The first step in improving vision is regular eye exams, which are critical for everyone – not only elite athletes. Vision care for athletes of all ages and skill levels should begin with the identification of visual factors that potentially contribute to peak performance.”
To help athletes of all levels, Dr. Fitzgerald and The International Sports Vision Association (ISVA), an interdisciplinary group of professionals dedicated to advancing the field of vision training, have launched “Dynamic Visual Skills for Sports,” providing an overview of some of the most relative dynamic visual skills associated with these 12 sports-related areas:
- Baseball/Softball
- Golf
- Soccer
- Basketball
- Hockey
- Sports Officials
- Boxing
- Motorsports
- Table Tennis
- Football
- Skiing
- Tennis
Other sports and areas of performance will be added soon.
Dr. Fitzgerald recommends that a qualified eye care professional with expertise in sports vision assessment and training be involved as a part of sport-specific performance enhancement team at all levels. “Working in partnership with athletic trainers, coaches, therapists and others, we can help athletes use their visual system to its maximum potential in order to gain optimal performance and a competitive edge.”
The ISVA website features a “Find a Sports Vision and Performance Professional” locator, a listing of ISVA members throughout the nation or in any geographic area.
Full press release: https://www.sportsvision.pro/international-sports-vision-association-launches-dynamic-visual-skills-for-sports/