# Awareness, Perceived Importance and Implementation of Sports Vision Training

## TL;DR

This study explores how sports coaches in Portugal perceive and use vision training to improve performance and prevent injuries.

## Contribution

It identifies factors influencing the adoption of sports vision training among coaches, including sport type and age.

## Key findings

- 73.2% of coaches incorporate visual training despite no link to formal knowledge.
- Reaction time is perceived as the most important visual skill.
- Age and sport type (e.g., volleyball) positively influence implementation of visual training.

## Abstract

Background: Sports vision training improves perceptual–motor skills crucial for performance and injury prevention. Despite proven benefits, little is known about its perception and use among coaches in Portugal. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was completed by active coaches from various sports, gathering sociodemographic data, awareness of visual training, perceived importance of ten visual skills, and implementation in training plans. Statistical analyses included descriptive tests to summarize sample characteristics, t-tests and two-way ANOVA to compare perceived importance of visual skills across sex and sport modalities, Spearman correlations to assess associations with age, and Firth-corrected logistic regression to identify predictors of incorporating visual training into practice plans. Results: Among 155 participants (88.5% men; mean age 36.9 ± 11.8 years), 73.2% reported incorporating visual training, with no association with self-reported knowledge (p = 0.413). Regarding perceived importance, reaction time was rated highest (1.20 ± 0.44), followed by hand–eye/body coordination (1.61 ± 0.71) and anticipation (1.34 ± 0.55). Age negatively correlated with importance given to visual memory, peripheral vision, concentration, depth perception, coordination, and moving-object recognition (p < 0.05). Multivariable analysis showed age (OR = 1.05; p = 0.0206) and volleyball (OR = 2.45; p = 0.031) positively associated with implementation, while higher perceived importance for visual concentration was negatively associated (OR = 0.54; p = 0.0176). Conclusions: Visual training implementation is high but not always linked to formal knowledge. Adoption is influenced by sport and demographics, and the counterintuitive role of visual concentration underscores the need for tailored educational programs to enhance performance and reduce injury risk.