From Gaze to Game: A Systematic Review of Eye-Tracking Applications in Basketball

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Eye-tracking technology has gained increasing attention in sports science, as it provides valuable insights into visual attention, decision-making, and motor planning. This systematic review examines the application of eye-tracking technology in basketball,...

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Main Authors: Michela Alemanno, Ilaria Di Pompeo, Martina Marcaccio, Daniele Canini, Giuseppe Curcio, Simone Migliore
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Brain Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/4/421
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author Michela Alemanno
Ilaria Di Pompeo
Martina Marcaccio
Daniele Canini
Giuseppe Curcio
Simone Migliore
author_facet Michela Alemanno
Ilaria Di Pompeo
Martina Marcaccio
Daniele Canini
Giuseppe Curcio
Simone Migliore
author_sort Michela Alemanno
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives:</b> Eye-tracking technology has gained increasing attention in sports science, as it provides valuable insights into visual attention, decision-making, and motor planning. This systematic review examines the application of eye-tracking technology in basketball, highlighting its role in analyzing cognitive and perceptual strategies in players, referees, and coaches. <b>Methods:</b> A systematic search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Studies published up until December 2024 were retrieved from PubMed and Web of Science using keywords related to basketball, eye tracking, and visual search. The inclusion criteria focused on studies using eye-tracking technology to assess athletes, referees, and coaches. A total of 1706 articles were screened, of which 19 met the eligibility criteria. <b>Results:</b> Eye-tracking studies have shown that expert basketball players exhibit longer quiet eye (QE) durations and more efficient gaze behaviors compared to novices. In high-pressure situations, skilled players maintain more stable QE characteristics, leading to better shot accuracy. Referees rely on efficient gaze strategies to make split-second decisions, although less experienced referees tend to neglect key visual cues. In coaching, eye-tracking studies suggest that guided gaze techniques improve tactical understanding in novice players but have limited effects on experienced athletes. <b>Conclusions:</b> Eye tracking is a powerful tool for studying cognitive and behavioral functioning in basketball, offering valuable insights for performance enhancement and training strategies. Future research should explore real-game settings using mobile eye trackers and integrate artificial intelligence to further refine gaze-based training methods.
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spelling doaj-art-b00308c8c90d414ea73b3979d0183dcf2025-08-20T02:17:24ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252025-04-0115442110.3390/brainsci15040421From Gaze to Game: A Systematic Review of Eye-Tracking Applications in BasketballMichela Alemanno0Ilaria Di Pompeo1Martina Marcaccio2Daniele Canini3Giuseppe Curcio4Simone Migliore5Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, ItalyDepartment of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, ItalyDepartment of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, ItalyDepartment of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, ItalyDepartment of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Eye-tracking technology has gained increasing attention in sports science, as it provides valuable insights into visual attention, decision-making, and motor planning. This systematic review examines the application of eye-tracking technology in basketball, highlighting its role in analyzing cognitive and perceptual strategies in players, referees, and coaches. <b>Methods:</b> A systematic search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Studies published up until December 2024 were retrieved from PubMed and Web of Science using keywords related to basketball, eye tracking, and visual search. The inclusion criteria focused on studies using eye-tracking technology to assess athletes, referees, and coaches. A total of 1706 articles were screened, of which 19 met the eligibility criteria. <b>Results:</b> Eye-tracking studies have shown that expert basketball players exhibit longer quiet eye (QE) durations and more efficient gaze behaviors compared to novices. In high-pressure situations, skilled players maintain more stable QE characteristics, leading to better shot accuracy. Referees rely on efficient gaze strategies to make split-second decisions, although less experienced referees tend to neglect key visual cues. In coaching, eye-tracking studies suggest that guided gaze techniques improve tactical understanding in novice players but have limited effects on experienced athletes. <b>Conclusions:</b> Eye tracking is a powerful tool for studying cognitive and behavioral functioning in basketball, offering valuable insights for performance enhancement and training strategies. Future research should explore real-game settings using mobile eye trackers and integrate artificial intelligence to further refine gaze-based training methods.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/4/421eye movementsgaze behaviorvisual searchsportscognitive functions
spellingShingle Michela Alemanno
Ilaria Di Pompeo
Martina Marcaccio
Daniele Canini
Giuseppe Curcio
Simone Migliore
From Gaze to Game: A Systematic Review of Eye-Tracking Applications in Basketball
Brain Sciences
eye movements
gaze behavior
visual search
sports
cognitive functions
title From Gaze to Game: A Systematic Review of Eye-Tracking Applications in Basketball
title_full From Gaze to Game: A Systematic Review of Eye-Tracking Applications in Basketball
title_fullStr From Gaze to Game: A Systematic Review of Eye-Tracking Applications in Basketball
title_full_unstemmed From Gaze to Game: A Systematic Review of Eye-Tracking Applications in Basketball
title_short From Gaze to Game: A Systematic Review of Eye-Tracking Applications in Basketball
title_sort from gaze to game a systematic review of eye tracking applications in basketball
topic eye movements
gaze behavior
visual search
sports
cognitive functions
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/4/421
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