Visual Search Strategies and Anticipation Ability Comparison: Focused on Changes in Foot Techniques following the Implementation of the Multi-Win System in Taekwondo Kyorugi

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to analyze how changes in game rules impact athletes' visual search strategies, technical adaptation, and decision-making. It aims to contribute to the development of effective training methods and game strategies.BR Method: The study involved 40 Taekwondo practitioners, divided into experts and novices (20 each), who participated in the study. They were assessed on their ability to predict front and back kicks. Independent t-tests were used to evaluate differences in eye-hand coordination, visual search strategies (fixation frequency, fixation ratio, saccade frequency), prediction accuracy, and reaction time between the groups. BR Results: Significant differences were found between experts and novices in eye-hand coordination, fixation frequency, fixation ratio, and saccade frequency. The analysis also revealed significant differences in fixation ratio between the two groups across various body regions, including the trunk, shoulders, foot dorsum, and thighs. In terms of decision-making abilities, there was a significant difference in prediction accuracy but not in reaction time between experts and novices. Correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation between fixation ratio and prediction accuracy. Conversely, fixation frequency and saccade frequency exhibited significant negative correlations with prediction accuracy.BR Conclusion: This study investigated the impact of changes in competition rules, specifically the implementation of the three-win system in 2022, on visual search strategies. Despite rule modifications, minimal changes were observed in visual search strategies. Skilled players, however, exhibited a lower fixation frequency and a higher fixation ratio, focusing more on crucial visual cues such as the abdomen, as indicated in previous studies. This highlights the significance of establishing a visual pivot.