Identifying the behavioural and biological mechanisms underpinning elite performance in aiming tasks

在追求体育专业知识的过程中，人们特别感兴趣的是确定专家和新手表演者如何以不同的方式使用视觉系统来分配注意力和指导表演。最近的一项文献综述强调了一些基于技能的关键差异，这些差异涉及表演者如何在视野内分配有限的注意力资源以及视觉系统的不同组成部分（即，中央凹、旁凹和周边）用于捕获相关信息以指导动作。在瞄准任务中特别感兴趣的是安静眼期（QE）的工作，其定义为在开始对目标的强制性运动反应之前对目标的最终注视。较长的量化宽松时期，随着量化宽松的提前开始，一直被报告给专家的业绩，以及业绩结果。在此期间，建议设置用于所需动作的移动参数。然而，尽管对量化宽松的研究过多，但在这种行为中存在的潜在机制和神经活动尚不清楚。通过增加我们对有效使用愿景的机制的了解，特别是量化宽松，我们可以探索如何设计培训计划，以促进众多领域的绩效。目前的项目旨在确定QE的功能和神经机制，以及这些机制如何与压力，特别是焦虑相互作用，以及我们是否可以利用这些知识来加速技能学习和改变行为。在这个项目的第一阶段，我们将研究QE是否可以防止分散注意力的刺激，以保持执行者专注于任务相关的线索。随后，我们将使用脑成像技术来突出在QE期间激活的大脑关键区域。我们将使用瞄准任务比较精英和次精英弓箭手之间的凝视行为和神经激活。这将使我们能够识别技能水平之间行为的结构差异。在这个项目的第二阶段，我们将使用与第一阶段相同的任务，但是在真实世界的环境中测试弓箭手。我们还将通过经济激励和同伴竞争来操纵焦虑。这将使我们能够确定第一阶段中确定的机制如何受到压力源的影响。在第三阶段，我们会根据前几个阶段所收集的数据，设计和实施训练干预措施，以改善次精英运动员的注视行为。具体来说，我们将尝试修改量化宽松的行为，以促进有效和高效的注意力控制。我们还将在整个干预过程中监测大脑活动，以确定训练后发生的任何神经系统变化。该项目将确定支持瞄准技能专家表现的机制，并确定是否可以通过跨磁模拟和行为修改来加速学习。我们的工作将首次突出量化宽松期间的神经激活，使上级技能的发展和监测成为可能。此外，该项目将提高对焦虑如何影响绩效的概念性理解，以及专业知识是否以及以何种方式介导任何负面影响。所产生的知识将有助于完善和开发用于提高其他专业领域（如军事，执法，紧急服务，医学/医疗保健以及更普遍的教育和培训）的感知和认知技能的方法。

In the pursuit of expertise in sport, a particular interest has been to ascertain how expert and novice performers use the visual system differently to allocate attention and guide performance. A recent review of the literature highlighted some of the key skill-based differences that have been reported both in regard to how performers allocate limited attention resources within the visual field and the manner in which the different components of visual system (i.e., the fovea, parafovea and periphery) are employed to capture relevant information to guide action. Of particular interest in aiming tasks is the work on the quiet eye period (QE), defined as the final fixation on the target prior to initiation of the obligatory motor response toward the target. A longer QE period, with an earlier onset of QE has been consistently reported to characterise expert performance, as well as performance outcome. During this time, it is proposed that the movement parameters for the required action are set. However, despite the plethora of research on QE, the underlying mechanisms and neural activity present during this behaviour are unknown. By increasing our knowledge of the mechanisms underpinning the effective use of vision, in particular QE, we can explore how training programmes can be designed to facilitate performance across numerous domains. The current project aims to identify the functional and neural mechanisms of QE, and how these interact with stress, specifically anxiety, and whether we can use this knowledge to expedite skill learning and modify behaviour.In Phase One of this project, we will examine whether QE can protect against distracting stimuli, to keep the performer focused on the task-relevant cues. Subsequently, we will use brain-imaging techniques to highlight key areas of the brain that are activated during QE. We will compare gaze behaviours and neural activation between elite and sub-elite archers using an aiming task. This will enable us to identify structural differences in behaviours between skill levels. In Phase Two of this project, we will use the same task as in Phase One, but test archers in the real-world environment. We will also manipulate anxiety via financial incentives and peer-based competition. This will enable us to identify how the mechanisms identified in Phase One are affected by stressors. By comparing between skill levels, it will enable us to identify how anxiety is mediated by expertise.In Phase Three of this project, based on the data gathered from the previous phases, we will design and implement training interventions which aim to improve the gaze behaviours of sub-elite athletes. Specifically, we will attempt to modify QE behaviour to promote effective and efficient attention control. We will also monitor brain activation throughout the intervention to identify any neurological changes that occur as a result of training.The project will identify the mechanisms underpinning expert performance in aiming skills and determine whether learning can be expedited through trans-magnetic simulation and behavioural modifications. Our work will highlight the neural activation during QE for the first time, enabling the development and monitoring of superior skill. Moreover, the project will improve conceptual understanding of how performance is influenced by anxiety and whether, and in what manner, any negative effects may be mediated by expertise. The knowledge generated will help refine and develop methods employed to improve perceptual and cognitive skills in other professional fields such as the military, law enforcement, emergency services, medicine/healthcare, as well as in education and training more generally.