Training Effects on Dynamic Visual Acuity with Free-Head Viewing

Training effects on dynamic visual acuity (DVA) were determined over a range of target durations and target velocities under the viewing condition of free-head movement. Dynamic acuity levels were lower than static acuity levels, and training was found to be very effective in improving performance, particularly under the most difficult conditions in which performance was poorest. Improvement was also most evident among those observers who initially exhibited the poorest DVA scores. Preliminary comparisons between DVA scores of a nonselect sample of college students and those of a small group of college athletes indicated that the athletes were not very different from the nonselect group and would also benefit from training on the task.