Abstract
The present study focused on the effects of corrected visual acuity in game performance during water polo play.
Five male water polo players (age: 18.0 ± 3.4 yrs) participated in the study. The participants played games in two conditions; in the first game the players were using contact lenses and in the second game they were not. Their corrected visual acuity with contact lenses was 0.9 ± 0.17. The uncorrected visual acuity of players was 0.04 ± 0.04. The indicators of game performance were (1) the rate of errors; (2) the rate of contributed play; and (3) the rate of ball contacts. The indicators of errors and contributed plays followed the results reported by Enomoto et al. (2001). The participants completed self-evaluations regarding their play.
The results showed the significant difference in the rate of errors committed by players with corrected visual acuity using contact lenses and those with uncorrected visual acuity. According to their responses of questionnaire, there was a significant difference in aspects of the game related to vision between players with corrected visual acuity and those with uncorrected visual acuity.
These findings showed that corrected visual acuity using contact lenses led to a decrease in errors committed, clear vision during games led to significant improvements in game performance. In conclusion, this study suggested the corrected visual acuity is an important factor in scoring and winning in water polo.
