Author(s): MYSKO, P., CINELLI, M. , Institution: WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY , Country: CANADA, Abstract-ID: 485

INTRODUCTION:
Assessing the passability of a closing gap requires correct perception of affordances and the utilization of tau-coupling. Affordances are influenced by embodiment, which suggests that through experiences in different situations, a person will have a sense of self and can make accurate decisions based on their perceived abilities. Athletes who are presented with a task that matches their sports requirements show an increase in the accuracy of their behaviours, suggesting embodiment can be influenced by specific situations [1]. However, does embodiment impact the decision-making capabilities of athletes? Therefore, the studys purpose was to determine if athletes have better decision-making capabilities in dynamic sport-specific situations. We expected that athletes’ actions would be better tuned when performing a task at a faster rate (i.e., closer to training situations).
METHODS:
6 field varsity athletes (4 male; 20.8±1.2yrs) were immersed in a virtual environment using a VR head-mounted display (HTC Vive Pro2). Individuals walked towards sliding doors situated 6.5 meters from start, at 3 meters from the aperture the doors began to close at a rate of 0.6-1.2m/s* each participant’s baseline walking or running (approach) speed. Participants completed a total of 42 trials (i.e., 3 trials x 7 closing speeds x 2 approach speeds). Participants were instructed to approach the doors at a consistent speed only passing through the closing gap if they could safely cross without manipulating their body. Data analysis included distance from the aperture in which each participant slowed down for each closing rate and approach speed.
RESULTS:
A significant interaction was observed between door closing rate and approach speed concerning slow down distance (p = .002). Post-hoc pairwise t-test between the door closing rate and approach speed showed a significant difference between walking and running at a closing rate of 1.0 (p= .011, g= 0.49). The switch point in behaviours (i.e, crossing doors vs. stopping prior to the doors) occurred at similar relative door closing rates for both approach speeds.
CONCLUSION:
Findings suggest that athletes’ actions are equally tuned when approaching closing doors while walking or running. Athletes’ decisions (slow down distance) was similar during both approach speeds for each door closing rate. However, when the door closing rate was the most difficult (i.e., 1.0x), slow down distance was closer to the doors when running than when walking. The most probable explanation is that when the closing rate matched the athletes’ boundary of success, they take more time for successful visuomotor processing to occur, leading to athletes getting closer to the doors when running.

References
[1] Higuchi, T., Murai, G., Kijima, A., Seya, Y., Wagman, J. B., & Imanaka, K. (2011). Athletic experience influences shoulder rotations when running through apertures. Human Movement Science, 30(3), 534–549. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2010.08.003