Quiet eye is a term that refers to a focused final look one gives to a task to improve the performance of a certain motor skill. It often lasts for a duration of 100 millisecond before making a move (Vickers, 2011).
The researchers used a mobile eye tracker that is coupled with an external motor camera or cameras to track the gaze of an eye.
In basketball,
for example, let us say you would like to improve the accuracy in shooting hoops, what do you do? Is it not that you look at the ring at an uninterrupted duration before releasing the ball? The intentional look you exert helps your brain to communicate with your hands and arms the extent of power you must exert and the direction the ball must go.
This technique is widely used in sports especially in the highest level of play.
Sports like golf, basketball and soccer
HOW QUIET EYE IS MEASURED
In Golf
The researchers used (BP) bereitschaftspotential to measure whether QE affects the golf putt.
The(BP) bereitschaftspotential is an aspect of the event-related potential (ERP) that shows the activation of the supplementary motor area that starts about 1500ms before the action begins. (BP) serves as area an index of anticipatory attention and movement preparations. It provides evidence that a long duration quiet eye gives the brain time it needs to organize the neural structure regulating the planning and control of the action.
In Soccer
Researchers Wood and Wilson used Quiet Eye information to train soccer players in the penalty kick. They found that during acquisition and retention, QE training led to making shots that were more accurate, further from the goalkeepers reach and less likely to be saved. They also found significant improvements in Quiet Eye/gaze control and suggest the longer QE period minimized distraction.
My Own Piano Experience
Whenever I practice a new piano piece, I would analyze the notes then strike on the piano keys. My memory is essential in recalling the correct keys to produce a beautiful music. To have an accurate recall, I practice continuously. My prolonged gazes on the piano keys make me memorize the location of every key. In doing so, I am able to read notes while striking the correct keys without looking at them.😃
