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Matsumura Y, Roach NW, Heron J, Miyazaki M. Body-part specificity for learning of multiple prior distributions in human coincidence timing. NPJ SCIENCE OF LEARNING 2024; 9:34. [PMID: 38698023 PMCID: PMC11066023 DOI: 10.1038/s41539-024-00241-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
During timing tasks, the brain learns the statistical distribution of target intervals and integrates this prior knowledge with sensory inputs to optimise task performance. Daily events can have different temporal statistics (e.g., fastball/slowball in baseball batting), making it important to learn and retain multiple priors. However, the rules governing this process are not yet understood. Here, we demonstrate that the learning of multiple prior distributions in a coincidence timing task is characterised by body-part specificity. In our experiments, two prior distributions (short and long intervals) were imposed on participants. When using only one body part for timing responses, regardless of the priors, participants learned a single prior by generalising over the two distributions. However, when the two priors were assigned to different body parts, participants concurrently learned the two independent priors. Moreover, body-part specific prior acquisition was faster when the priors were assigned to anatomically distant body parts (e.g., hand/foot) than when they were assigned to close body parts (e.g., index/middle fingers). This suggests that the body-part specific learning of priors is organised according to somatotopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiki Matsumura
- Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Neil W Roach
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - James Heron
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK
| | - Makoto Miyazaki
- Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Hamamatsu, Japan.
- Faculty of Informatics, Shizuoka University, Hamamatsu, Japan.
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Nasu D, Baba T, Imamura T, Yamaguchi M, Kitanishi Y, Kashino M. Virtual reality perceptual training can improve the temporal discrimination ability of swinging during softball batting. Front Sports Act Living 2024; 6:1332149. [PMID: 38450282 PMCID: PMC10915064 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2024.1332149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Perception and action uncoupling in fastball sports anticipatory training is often criticized. Nevertheless, perception-only training offers distinct advantages, such as flexibility concerning time, place, and injury limitations. Therefore, the effectiveness of this training approach warrants evaluation. This study developed a virtual reality (VR) training system based on the idea that the two visual pathways in the brain are associated with visual information attributes, rather than perception or action. A key feature of this study's perception-only training was its presentation of not only the opponent's kinematics but also the ball's flight information (the attributes that guide hitting) to train the visual system necessary for real situations. Seventeen female softball batters were assigned to two groups: a training group (N = 9) and a control group (N = 8). Only the training group underwent the VR anticipatory skill training to discriminate the different ball speeds. Both groups completed a perception test and an action test on the VR during the pre- and post-training periods. The perception test assessed response accuracy (RA) in discriminating ball speed, and the action test assessed the temporal difference in swing onset (delta onset). Comparison of these two outcome variables between groups revealed that perception-only training improved both perceptual and action responses. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of perception-only training and emphasized the need for its thoughtful utilization and design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiki Nasu
- NTT Communication Science Laboratories, NTT Corporation, Kanagawa, Japan
| | | | | | - Masumi Yamaguchi
- NTT Communication Science Laboratories, NTT Corporation, Kanagawa, Japan
| | | | - Makio Kashino
- NTT Communication Science Laboratories, NTT Corporation, Kanagawa, Japan
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Herring CH, Beyer KS, Redd MJ, Stout JR, Fukuda DH. Utility of Novel Rotational Load-Velocity Profiling Methods in Collegiate Softball Players. J Strength Cond Res 2024; 38:136-145. [PMID: 38085624 DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000004601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Herring, CH, Beyer, KS, Redd, MJ, Stout, JR, and Fukuda, DH. Utility of novel rotational load-velocity profiling methods in collegiate softball players. J Strength Cond Res 38(1): 136-145, 2024-The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of bat swing (BS) and rotational medicine ball throw (RMBT) load-velocity profiling (LVP) methods and explore relationships with batting performance in NCAA Division I softball players. Bat velocity was tracked with a swing sensor during the BS method, whereas an inertial measurement unit (IMU) tracked forearm velocity during the BS and RMBT methods. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used for relative reliability, and coefficient of variation (CV) was used for absolute reliability. With the exception of theoretical maximum velocity (V0) using the average of top 2 peak velocities (PVavg) during the RMBT, no LVP variables were found to be reliable during the RMBT or BS method using the IMU (ICC ≤0.7; CV ≥15%). For the BS method with the swing sensor, all bat loads and V0 had acceptable reliability using peak velocity (PV) and PVavg (ICC >0.7; CV <15%), whereas all LVP variables were highly related between the multiple-load and two-load models when using PV and PVavg (r = 0.915-0.988; p < 0.01). There were significant relationships (r = 0.603-0.671; p < 0.05) between PV using the 0.99 Kg bat load and V0, and several in-game batting statistics. Practitioners may use the BS with the swing sensor as a rotational LVP assessment, although they should be cautious of aiming to improve batting performance in collegiate softball players based on the correlations reported until further research is performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad H Herring
- Physiology of Work and Exercise Response (POWER) Laboratory, Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
- Division of Kinesiology, School of Kinesiology and Physical Therapy, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida; and
| | - Kyle S Beyer
- Health and Exercise Physiology Department, Ursinus College, Collegeville, Pennsylvania
| | - Michael J Redd
- Physiology of Work and Exercise Response (POWER) Laboratory, Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
- Division of Kinesiology, School of Kinesiology and Physical Therapy, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida; and
| | - Jeffrey R Stout
- Physiology of Work and Exercise Response (POWER) Laboratory, Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
- Division of Kinesiology, School of Kinesiology and Physical Therapy, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida; and
| | - David H Fukuda
- Physiology of Work and Exercise Response (POWER) Laboratory, Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
- Division of Kinesiology, School of Kinesiology and Physical Therapy, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida; and
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Takamido R, Yokoyama K, Nakamoto H, Ota J, Yamamoto Y. Interpersonal coordination analysis in bat-and-ball sports under a real game situation: Asymmetric interaction and delayed coupling. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290855. [PMID: 37939132 PMCID: PMC10631703 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the interpersonal coordination between the pitcher and the batter in bat-and-ball sports. Although the importance of interpersonal coordination is widely accepted in many sports, no studies have investigated it in bat-and-ball sports because the dominant task constraints surrounding the interaction between pitcher and batter make it difficult to apply conventional analytic techniques. To address the issue, this study proposes a new analytical framework to investigate interpersonal coordination in bat-and-ball sports under a real game situation with two main characteristics: asymmetric interaction and delayed coupling. First, the dynamic time warping technique was used to evaluate the stability of the head movement pattern of the pitcher and batter, and cross-correlation analysis was used to quantify the temporal relationship between them. We found that the head movement pattern of batters was significantly more unstable than that of pitchers, and approximately 60% of the variance of the change in the head movement pattern of batters could be explained by that of the pitchers. Moreover, expert batters followed a pitcher's movements with a specific time delay of approximately 250 ms. These findings highlight the characteristics of interpersonal coordination in bat-and-ball sports: the pitcher can make a pre-patterned stable motion, whereas the batter needs to follow and adjust their movement to it. Although the effects of prediction ability need to be investigated to understand its detailed mechanism, the contribution of this study is that it revealed the existence of the interpersonal coordination between the pitcher and batter of bat-and-ball sports under a real game situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryota Takamido
- Research into Artifacts, Center for Engineering (RACE), School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiko Yokoyama
- Research Center of Health, Physical Fitness & Sports, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hiroki Nakamoto
- Faculty of Physical Education, National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya, Kanoya, Kanoya City, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Jun Ota
- Research into Artifacts, Center for Engineering (RACE), School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuji Yamamoto
- Research Center of Health, Physical Fitness & Sports, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
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Nasu D, Baba T, Imamura T, Yamaguchi M, Kitanishi Y, Kashino M. Simplified Virtual Reality System Can Be Used to Evaluate the Temporal Discrimination Ability in Softball Batting as in the Real Environment. Front Sports Act Living 2022; 4:843896. [PMID: 35548456 PMCID: PMC9082152 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2022.843896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, virtual reality (VR) technology has developed rapidly and has increasingly come to be used in the sports field. VR technology ranges from large, highly immersive devices to simple devices such as smartphones, and the respective usefulness and shortcomings of different device types have been debated. Simple devices have advantages such as portability, but also provide only a weak sense of realism. It is important to understand the purpose and extent to which VR technologies can be used. Our purpose in this study was to briefly measure one of the cognitive-motor abilities used in softball batting: temporal discrimination ability in swing onset when a batter faces two types of balls thrown at different speeds. We investigated whether a simplified head-mounted display (HMD) system can evaluate such cognitive-motor ability to the same extent as in a real environment. Ten elite female softball batters swung at fastballs and slowballs randomly thrown by the same pitcher in both real and 3D VR environments, with the same range of trajectories. We then compared the temporal discrimination ability of swing onset analyzed by video analysis between environments. We found that the discrimination ability in VR is almost the same as in reality. In addition, questionnaire items on the VR system related to user experience and cybersickness showed overall promising responses. However, we also found that the system had some issues that need to be considered, such as leading to early swing onset and large variability in it. We discussed the usefulness and limitations of the VR system by combining the results for swing onset with the questionnaire responses. By understanding the characteristics of VR technology and using it as an efficient evaluation and training of players, the sports field can make significant progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiki Nasu
- NTT Communication Science Laboratories, NTT Corporation, Kanagawa, Japan
- *Correspondence: Daiki Nasu
| | - Takamichi Baba
- Biostatistics Center, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Takumi Imamura
- Biostatistics Center, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Masumi Yamaguchi
- NTT Communication Science Laboratories, NTT Corporation, Kanagawa, Japan
| | | | - Makio Kashino
- NTT Communication Science Laboratories, NTT Corporation, Kanagawa, Japan
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