3 minute read
Unlocking athletic potential
The role of sports vision training
In the pursuit of athletic excellence, athletes worldwide share a common ambition: achieving their goals through rigorous training and preparation. The significance of physical strength, agility, speed and endurance is well understood, but a crucial aspect that often flies under the radar is cognitive and visual training.
With over 80% of the information in sports being visually acquired, the realm of sports vision has emerged as a game-changer. It encompasses not only what we see but also how we process that visual information and translate it into action. The oft-neglected cog in the training wheel –cognitive and visual training – has the power to reshape an athlete’s journey.
At the heart of sports vision training is the idea that training is not limited to the eyes alone. It is a holistic approach that bridges the cognitive and motor systems, harmonising them for optimal performance. The capacity to swiftly perceive, process and make precise decisions during the high-pressure moments of sports sets exceptional athletes apart from their peers.
A fascinating facet of sports vision training revolves around refining an athlete’s visual acumen. The ability to track fastmoving objects while maintaining unwavering focus is a skill that can be honed. This is where practices like EyeXcel, Namibia’s first sports vision training centre, step in. They initiate the journey with a comprehensive sports vision evaluation that establishes an athlete’s baseline capabilities. Using this foundation, a personalised training regimen is meticulously crafted, tailored to the athlete’s unique strengths and potential areas of growth. It is not just about vague exercises; it is about measurable progress. The baseline evaluation gauges ten distinct cognitive and motor skills, aligning an athlete’s performance with peers in the same sport and age group.
EyeXcel embodies collaboration. Optometrists tackle the visual system, while coaches and athletes contribute their specialised sports expertise. By marrying state-of-theart technology with athletic insight, EyeXcel creates an environment where holistic development thrives.
However, sports vision training transcends the visual. It is a nuanced process that fine-tunes the brain’s ability to process visual information efficiently. This translates into enhanced decision-making capabilities, reducing the risk of injuries. Improved tracking of fast-moving targets and unwavering focus empowers athletes to make crucial split-second judgments, which can turn the tide on the field or court.
The testimonials of athletes who have embraced sports vision training echo its transformative impact. As sessions progress, they share a common sentiment: the world seems to slow down. Time expands, enabling them to make pivotal decisions. Their spatial awareness becomes keener, deepening their comprehension of the game’s dynamics. Most strikingly, athletes consistently report heightened performance and a heightened sense of accomplishment.
Participating in this journey is both exhilarating and humbling. EyeXcel takes immense pride in being Namibia’s inaugural sports vision enhancement practice. By importing cuttingedge technology into the country’s sports landscape, EyeXcel equips athletes with tools that break boundaries.
At the core of EyeXcel’s ethos lies an unwavering passion for nurturing athletes’ visual skills and propelling them towards their peak. Their mission is to guide athletes towards unleashing their untapped potential, enabling them to rise to new heights. In the intricate process of training, the potency of vision emerges as the unseen force that redefines the path to sporting greatness.
