Lights and other visuo-motor techniques for agility enhancement.

I believe this topic in S&C deserves more discussion , and I would love to explore it further.


I think we can all agree that there are two components to “agility”: Reactive ability ( I.e perception) and then movement time . The movement time can be trained with strength and plyometric training as well as COD drills.


What about Perception?

Applebaum,L.G & Erickson, G.(2016). Sports Vision Training : a review of the state of the art in digital training techniques.

A model is presented in this research paper indicating that the first step in responding to is Visual activity (sensory processes), for example an attacking ball- carrier in rugby, is the ability to see and process the visual information. It therefore makes sense that simple reaction times should be tested and can be trained.

HOWEVER, the speed at which a response is made on-field is not determined by reaction time alone (purely responsive). Many athletes use anticipation to pre-empt the direction in which an opponent is about to move (i.e., if you have to wait to see your opponent move before moving with them, they've already beat you). This is commonly referred to as "reading the play".

A perceptually skilled basketball player would use cues coming from the angle of his opponent’s hips to anticipate the direction of his opponent as well as his knowledge of where other opposing athletes are to anticipate where ball carrier is going to run or pass.

Considering the relationship between anticipation, opposition kinematics and probabilities, what value is there using non sport- specific training stimuli such as lights for enhancing reaction time?