BACKGROUND: This study examined the effect of physical exertion on gaze behavior during basketball shooting in both stationary and dynamic conditions. METHODS: Thirteen skilled basketball players performed two-point shooting during a 60 second fatigue protocol. Before and after a jump shot test, players performed two free throws. Eye movements were registered using an SMI Mobile EyeTracker. The frequency of all fixation points (number) and fixation duration during the motor phases of shooting were determined using frame-by-frame analysis. RESULTS: The type of basketball shot differentiated gaze control: 1) fixations were longer and more frequent during free throws as compared to jump shots; 2) shooting accuracy was positively influenced by less frequent and longer fixations; 3) physical exertion resulted in significantly more frequent fixations during free throws; and 4) exertion conditions resulted in a high variation in the patterns of total fixation times during jump shots. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that physical exertion may reduce oculomotor efficiency during aiming at a distant target. Moreover, stationary and dynamic shots require different gaze behavior strategies.
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