Head motion and eye movement behavior in the basketball free-throw

Abstract

Coordination between head and eye movements are critical for many far target aiming tasks. The purpose of this investigation was to determine how head movement influences eye movements, fixations, and accuracy in a free-throw shooting task. Nine participants completed 20 free-throw shots in each of the following 3 shooting styles: self-selected free throw (comfortable movement of the head), fixed head position (reduced movement of the head), and a jump shot (large vertical movement of the head). Head movement in the vertical direction, angle of head elevation, eye fixation frequency and duration were measured. Results indicated an association between shooting style conditions and accuracy (?2 (2) = 18.55, p<0.05). Greater head movement and angle of head elevation was found in the jump and self selected conditions in comparison of the fixed condition. Additionally, longer duration and frequency of eye fixations were found in the head fixed condition in comparison to the self-selected and jump conditions. Generally, the head fixed condition resulted in less accuracy, less head movement, and more eye fixations in comparison to self selected and jump conditions. Our results suggest the vestibular ocular reflex (VOR) compensates for head and eye movements and the coordination of head and eye movements may be essential for accurate performance in far target aiming.