2024-01-02 22:00:14
There is often a mistaken belief that medical technology is exclusive to hospitals. In reality, this is not the case because its impact can be seen in the most unlikely areas such as high-performance sports. A clear example can be seen with the neuroophthalmic training because it is a practice that is applied in the NFL.
The most attractive thing is that this innovation was not created for the players but for the referees. In the end, these are also necessary elements for a match to take place.
It all started when Houston Methodist Hospital Eye Institute partnered with the NFL to develop a referee training program that uses neuroophthalmic principles to strengthen precision and performance in the field.
Technology improves the precision of matches but also makes them slower
Over the past decade or so, the officiating of NFL games has changed significantly. There are sophisticated video replay programs, but they slow down the game a lot. Additionally, the human element is lost when there is too much reliance on technology.
Referees are very important because they represent symbolism, history, routine and respect. No one wants to change that but since these technologies exist, it is important to ensure that referees are as precise and accurate as possible.
How does neuro-ophthalmic training improve referees’ vision?
First, there is the visual field, which is lateral vision. The field of vision becomes larger if you move away from something and smaller if you move closer. Although being closer can improve resolution and acuity, it also means you could miss important things happening right next door.
You have to balance the visual acuity (how close you should be to something) with the field of vision. For example, when the ball is released from the center to the quarterback to start the play, it is very important that the game referee be right above that play to see the action around the ball, since that interaction is the first point contact and is where many infractions can occur.
But once the play begins and there has been no false start or other penalty, the officials have to take at least five steps back to be able to see the entire field.
Another principle is called dynamic visual sharpness. When you move, your vision degrades. Whether you move your head or run, movement makes it harder to keep your eyes on a target.
If you have a clear line of sight and a full field of vision, you don’t need to run, even when the play is taking place some distance away. Turns out, when it comes to call accuracy, it’s best if you stay where you are and follow the action with your head.
The importance of eye movement
The last thing that has been worked on with the referees is the eye movement. They must constantly make decisions about where to focus. They look at something, decide if it is legal or not, and then move their eyes to the next point of contact to determine a likely or possible penalty.
This rapid movement, to bring the central vision to a new target, is called a saccade. When you follow a moving target along with your eyes, that is called pursuit. The chase is a smooth movement.
The referees have to make saccades in a certain sequence. They have to prioritize where they have to look. If a receiver is catching the ball on the sideline, he must first look at his feet and make sure they are in bounds, then make a saccade toward his arms to determine if the ball was caught.
When a play begins, the referee has to look at the ball as it is passed to the quarterback, and then throw it out to the running back if the quarterback hands it off. If it’s a fake handoff, the referee has to go back to the quarterback because now he’s looking to throw. However, if the runner receives the ball and runs with it, that is chasing. There are different prioritization and saccadic pursuit strategies, depending on whether it is a run or a pass.
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