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THE INFLUENCE OF VISUAL FIXATION ON HOP TEST PERFORMANCE
Brandon M Ness1, Kory Zimney1, Thomas Kernozek2
1Department of Physical Therapy, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, USA.
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy
|December 23, 2020
Summary
Visual fixation did not affect hop distance in functional hop tests for healthy athletes. However, it slightly improved the reliability and precision of the medial triple hop for distance test measurements.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics and Sports Medicine
- Motor Control and Learning
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries often occur during tasks requiring divided attention.
- Current functional hop tests assess performance but do not account for visual fixation.
- Understanding visual influences is crucial for accurate injury assessment and rehabilitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of visual fixation on functional hop test performance in healthy individuals.
- To determine if visual fixation affects hop distance in the crossover triple hop for distance (XHOP) and medial triple hop for distance (MHOP).
- To evaluate the reliability of hop tests with and without visual fixation.
Main Methods:
- A repeated measures design was employed with healthy adults performing the XHOP and MHOP.
- Participants completed hop tests under two conditions: standard (no specific visual instruction) and visual fixation (focusing on a central monitor).
- Test-retest reliability was assessed 48-72 hours later.
Main Results:
- Hop distance was not significantly altered by the addition of visual fixation for either the XHOP or MHOP (p = 0.27).
- Effect sizes for hop distance changes were trivial (d = 0.02 - 0.07).
- Visual fixation demonstrated a slight improvement in within- and between-session reliability, standard error of measurement, and minimal detectable change for the MHOP.
Conclusions:
- Visual fixation does not influence hop distance during the XHOP and MHOP in healthy individuals.
- While both hop tests demonstrated reliability, precision was limited.
- The MHOP showed enhanced measurement properties (reliability, SEM, MDC) when visual fixation was incorporated.
