Visual attention in soccer players: A comparison between multiple object tracking and multiple identity tracking

This study aims to investigate the impact of Multiple Object Tracking (MOT) and Multiple Identity Tracking (MIT) task among soccer players. Comparing MOT and MIT allows the determination of whether soccer expertise is primarily associated with basic spatial tracking or identity based attentional control, providing theoretical insight and practical implications for perceptual cognitive assessment and training in soccer. Semi-elite soccer players and novices were selected as participants, investigating the effects of MOT and MIT on visual attention in soccer players. In MOT task, no significant difference was observed in circle tracking accuracy, but a notable disparity emerged in dot-probe stimulus rate between novice and semi-elite groups. However, upon MIT task, significant differences were noted in both circle tracking accuracy and dot-probe stimulus rate between novice and semi-elite groups. Additionally, a difference was found in the inhibition levels for regular motion non-targets and motion non-targets between the semi-elite and novice groups. The study suggests that MIT play a pivotal role in shaping the accuracy of circle tracking for both novice and semi-elite players, while also exerting an inhibitory effect on non-targets.