The association between gaze behavior and parabadminton serves accuracy

Abstract

This study aims to determine the relationship between gaze behavior and serve accuracy in parabadminton athletes under training conditions. Fifteen parabadminton athletes ranked among the top ten in the world participated in the study, including 9 females (33 ± 11,96 years); and 6 males (27,16 ± 9,51 years). The athletes performed 20 consecutive serves on each side of the court, for a total of 40 executions. Gaze behavior data was collected using the Tobii Glasses 2 eye tracking system. A linear mixed-effects model was used to assess the correlation between serve accuracy and gaze behavior The results showed no significant association between serve accuracy and the number of fixations or fixation duration. However, a trend toward greater success was identified in the SL4 class when the athlete fixated on the shuttlecock, and in the WH2 class when the athlete fixated on the net. Considering the technical specifications of the equipment used to study gaze tracking, investigating this variable in badminton is feasible and acceptable for professionals in the sport.