Author(s): EMIRZEOGLU, M., BIROL, A.2, YILDIRMIS, M.T.3, Institution: KARADENIZ TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY, Country: TURKEY, Abstract-ID: 2045

INTRODUCTION:
Eye-tracking technology has become a widely used method for objectively assessing visual search strategies and information processing in athletes. However, the evidence in this area is limited, and further research is needed. This study aims to compare the eye-tracking metrics exhibited by soccer players when observing successful and unsuccessful offensive and defensive game scenarios.
METHODS:
The study included 18 healthy male soccer players (age: 18.18±0.29 years; body height: 176.44±7.67 cm; body weight: 70.22±7.39 kg). Inspired by the 2025 UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Inter Milan, two 45-second animated game simulations were created on the Tactical Board platform. Athletes watched each video while imagining they were a player on the attacking or defending team. Eye-tracking data were collected under four experimental conditions for each participant: successful offensive, unsuccessful offensive, successful defensive, and unsuccessful defensive. Fixation (duration, count, pupil diameter, eye openness) and saccade (count, velocity, amplitude, direction) metric data were extracted using Tobii Pro Lab software (Tobii Pro AB, Stockholm, Sweden). The data were analyzed using a 2 (Play Result: goal vs. no goal) × 2 (Tactical Role: offensive vs. defensive) repeated-measures ANOVA in SPSS version 27 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).
RESULTS:
A significant main effect of play result was observed for average whole-fixation eye openness, number of saccades, maximum peak velocity of saccades, maximum amplitude of saccades, total amplitude of saccades, and direction of first saccade (Fs(1,17) = 5.89–21.57, ps = <.001–.027, partial η² = .307–.559). A significant main effect of tactical role was found for average whole-fixation pupil diameter, average peak velocity of saccades, average amplitude of saccades, and maximum amplitude of saccades (Fs(1,17) = 4.48–9.85, ps = .006–.049, partial η² = .209–.367). No significant interaction effects between play result and tactical role were detected for any of the analyzed parameters (ps > .05).
CONCLUSION:
The findings indicate that both the play result and tactical role have distinct effects on oculomotor behavior. These results offer significant insights for coaches and clinicians in the design of training programs intended to enhance visual attention and decision-making processes. It is recommended that subsequent research examine these behaviors under real-field conditions.