It is essential in combat sports such as boxing for athletes to perceive the relevant visual information that enables them to anticipate and respond to their opponent's attacking and defensive moves. Here, we used virtual reality (VR), which enables standardization and reproducibility while maintaining perception-action coupling, to assess the influence of a gaze-contingent blur on the visual processes that underpin these boxing behaviours. Eleven elite French boxers were placed in an immersive and adaptive first-person VR environment where they had to avoid by dodging one or two punches, and then counterattack to strike their opponent. The VR boxing task was performed in a central blur, peripheral blur and control condition. The results showed that elite boxers outcome performance was resilient to blur, irrespective of its location in the visual field. However, there was an effect of blur on the eye gaze data, with participants spending less time looking at the left hand and plexus, and more time looking at the head and areas other than the boxer, in the peripheral blur condition. Overall, then, our study contributes to growing evidence that performance in dynamic interceptive sports can be maintained when the visual stimulus is artificially blurred. In future work, it will be relevant to consider whether VR training with a gaze-contingent blur can facilitate learning, transfer, and/or reintroduction after injury, to a real boxing situation.Originating in 19th-century Japan, judo blends traditional martial arts with modern educational principles. As a martial art rooted in the Budo tradition, it embodies a philosophy focused on the harmony of mind and body. In the West, however, the discipline evolved with an emphasis on competition and athleticism, which has led to increased competitive pressures among athletes. We report here the case studies of two Italian judokas who retired due to the development of unhealthy eating habits, extreme exercise and other unwanted psychological distress. It will be argued that the prevalent practice of weight cutting in combat sports poses substantial physical and psychological risks, particularly for young athletes. Despite regulatory efforts to mitigate extreme weight loss methods, there remains a critical need for improved education on safe practices. It sheds light on the complex interplay between athletic success, physical and mental health, and cultural perceptions of Judo in contemporary society.
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