Subjective Feelings of Athletes Wearing Sunglasses while Playing Sports: Using Mixed Methods Research

Abstract

    The purpose of this study was to clarify the subjective feelings of athletes wearing sunglasses while playing sports, using mixed methods research. In Study I, we conducted a free-answered survey, using 50 athletes (M_age ＝ 30.6, SD ＝ 6.6) to clarify subjective feelings of athletes wearing sunglasses while playing sports. Judging from the words of the athletes, data regarding “Physical feelings” (lessening straining of eyes, lessening sensory temperature, fostering performance, improving judgment speed, lessening overstraining, improving visibility, lessening wind effect, preventing drying eyes, and preventing foreign matters entering eyes), and “psychological feelings” (fostering concentration, switching a mood, enhancing motivation, lessening stress, feeling calm, and having psychological distance from others) were extracted. Next, in Study 2, we formed questionnaire items to assess the degree of subjective feelings of wearing sunglasses while playing sports and obtained the responses from 450 athletes (M_age ＝ 21.5, SD ＝ 6.7). We compared the subjective feelings between sports events (track and field, golf, baseball, and tennis). Results showed that track and field athletes scored higher in psychological feelings than baseball and tennis players did. We concluded that there are physical and psychological feelings of athletes regarding wearing sunglasses during sports, and that feelings about wearing sunglasses differ according to the sports events the athletes engage in.