When a coach tells a player to keep their eye on the ball, they are addressing the importance of attention and focus to success, both figuratively and literally. Whether hitting a baseball, shooting a basket, or maintaining focus in an exercise routine, how we process visual information is linked to physical and mental performance, and eye tracking is the key to unlocking this relationship.
Modern eye tracking technology is revolutionizing how researchers understand human behavior, perception, and performance during physical activity. With the rise of wearable and mobile technology, eye tracking has been freed from the confines of the lab, offering real-world insights into our exercise habits and mindset. Thanks to innovators like BIOPAC partner Argus, researchers can now access eye tracking information recorded directly from the putting green, ski slope, and even the mountain biking trail.
One of the primary applications of eye tracking in exercise research lies in understanding visual attention and gaze behavior. By tracking where individuals look while engaging in physical activity, researchers can better understand how attentional focus influences performance. For instance, studies have revealed that elite athletes exhibit more focused and efficient gaze patterns, directing their attention to critical cues that enhance their performance. A 2023 study by researchers at North Carolina State University assessed the viability of using an array of mobile physiological measurement tools, including eye tracking, to measure performance optimization techniques for rock climbers. Tools included BIOPAC monitors and transmitters for wireless tracking of skeletal muscle electromyography (EMG) and eye tracking glasses to record gaze. The study affirmed that such technologies could accurately monitor multiple athletic performance metrics in even the most challenging environments. 
Beyond performance enhancement, eye tracking technology holds promise in understanding the psychological aspects of exercise behavior. By examining visual attention during exercise-related stimuli such as advertisements or motivational cues, researchers can unravel the underlying mechanisms driving exercise motivation and adherence.
The same principles of eye tracking research used in fitness and physical performance-related exercise studies can be applied in other fields, such as those that examine job performance in highly stressful and physically demanding occupations, like law enforcement. A study published in the 2023 edition of the Journal of Motor Behavior explored the relationship between gaze control and decision-making by police officers in highly stressful situations. The goal was to assess how a participant’s levels of experience and training affected tactical decisions. Participants wore eye tracking glasses during a simulated traffic incident. The participants’ respiration and electrocardiogram (ECG) signals were monitored via a BIOPAC BioNomadix dual-signal wireless transmitter. Gaze-tracking data, ECG, and respiration data were fed into a BIOPAC data acquisition system for analysis. The study found that higher levels of training “led to increased processing efficiency and effective attentional control.”
The integration of eye tracking technology into exercise physiology and psychology research offers a nuanced understanding of human behavior and performance during physical activity. With wearable and mobile solutions, this technology not only expands the possibilities of research but also holds the potential for personalized programs and the enhancement of exercise experiences for individuals across a wide range of circumstances. For more information on integrating mobile eye tracking into your exercise study, see our webinars on Recording Great Data from Exercising Subjects and Eye Tracking Glasses and AcqKnowledge Integration.
Are you planning to employ eye tracking in your next exercise study? Contact our experts for assistance in selecting the best tools for gathering and analyzing exercise data with eye tracking.
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