Effectiveness of an 8-week sport vision training program on visuo-motr reaction time and oculomotricity in young football players

INTRODUCTION: Football is a highly dynamic sport that requires players to rapidly process visual stimuli, make decisions, and execute motor actions under pressure. Sport Vision Training (SVT) has been proposed as a method to enhance visuomotor skills, yet its application in football remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an 8-week, field-based SVT protocol on Visuo-Motor Reaction Time (VMRT) and oculomotricity in young football players. METHODS: Thirty- five male players (aged 11–12 years) were recruited for the study. Baseline orthoptic evaluation ensured normal visual function before intervention. VMRT was measured using BlazePod devices across upper- and lower-limb tasks, while oculomotricity was evaluated using the Northeastern State University College of Optometry (NSUCO) test. Participant competed an 8-week SVT intervention, consisting of twice-weekly 20-minute training sessions integrated into football practice. Exercises focused on peripheral vision, saccadic movements and visual-motor reaction drills. Generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) and cumulative link models (CLMMs) were used for statistical analysis, with p-values adjusted for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: Post-intervention analysis revealed significant improvements in VMRT for upper-limb tasks, with reductions in reaction times for right hand (β = -0.15; p < 0.001), left hand (β = -0.14; p < 0.001), and both hands (β = -0.11; p < 0.001). However, no significant improvements were detected in lower-limb reaction time (p > 0.05). The NSUCO test showed significant improvements in saccadic movement precision (β = 2.11; p = 0.02) and reduced head/body movement during saccadic tasks (β = 0.11; p < 0.001), but no notable changes in pursuit movement precision (β = -0.62; p = 0.37). CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that field-based SVT can effectively enhance upper-limb visuomotor reaction time and saccadic eye movement precision, supporting the integration of SVT in football training. However, its impact on lower-limb reaction time remains inconclusive, suggesting that additional training or a longer intervention period may be necessary to enhance reaction times in the lower extremities. Further investigation is needed. The study highlights the potential of integrating cost-effective SVT programs into football teams training routines, allowing coaches to systematically enhance athletes’ visual-motor processing without disrupting standard practice sessions. Future research should explore longer intervention periods and assess the transferability of SVT improvements to match performance. And assess long-term retention of visual-motor adaptations.