Field dependence as a factor in sports with preponderance of open or closed skills

Three groups of 120 male and female athletes, who were aged 13 to 22 yr. from Junior and Senior High School and College varsity sports having a preponderance of open skills or of closed skills or who were nonathletes of like age, were tested on Oltman's portable rod-and-frame apparatus to assess field dependence. Analysis indicated that individuals playing in sports with a preponderance of open skills were more field-dependent than those playing in sports with a preponderance of closed skills. Varsity participants were more field-independent than nonparticipants.