Reduction in reaction time and improved oculomotor function following football-specific vision training in young players

Background: Visuomotor skills play a critical role in football performance, supporting players’ ability to perceive, decide, and act effectively in dynamic environments. Although Sport Vision Training (SVT) has shown potential to improve visual and perceptual-motor abilities, the evidence remains mixed and limited by methodological variability. Cost and accessibility also represent practical challenges. This study evaluates the impact of an 8-week field-based SVT protocol on visuomotor reaction time (VMRT) and oculomotor function in young recreational football players. Methods: A total of 35 football players (Under-12 and Under-13) participated in this quasi-experimental study. Participants underwent baseline orthoptic evaluations to ensure normal visual function. VMRT was assessed using BlazePod® devices, and oculomotor function was evaluated using the Northeastern State University College of Optometry (NSUCO) test. The SVT intervention was conducted twice weekly for8 weeks, integrated into football training. Generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) and cumulative link models (CLMMs) were used for statistical analysis. Results: Significant improvements were observed in VMRT for upper-limb tasks (p < 0.001), while lower-limb reaction times showed no significant change. Oculomotor performance improved, particularly in saccadic precision (p = 0.02) and reduction of body and head movement during saccadic tasks (p < 0.001). No significant improvements were found in pursuit movement accuracy (p = 0.37). Conclusion: The field-based SVT protocol was associated with improvements in upper-limb VMRT and specific oculomotor functions in young footballers. While these findings suggest that sport-specific SVT may enhance key visual-motor skills relevant to football performance, the quasi-experimental design limits causal interpretations.