Title: INTERACTIVE VIDEO-BASED TECHNOLOGY AND PERCEPTUAL SKILL TRAINING FOR BATTING IN YOUTH BASEBALL PLAYERS
Supervisors: Dr. Shannon SD Bredin
Committee members: Dr. Andrew Perrotta, Dr. Desmond McEwan
Abstract: The desire to gain a competitive advantage in sport has shifted focus to developing the underlying neural processes related to skill execution, referred to as perceptual-cognitive skills. An emerging approach within the perceptual-cognitive domain has been the use of video-based technology for perceptual-cognitive training. Arguments highlighting the potential benefits of using technology for perceptual-cognitive training are promising but there is limited research to date. This study examines the design of research and training protocols for perceptual-cognitive development and video-based technology. Specifically, the purpose of this cross-sectional study is to assess the effects of a baseball-specific perceptual training game used as an adjunct to traditional training. This study will aim to recruit 60 youth athletes who participate in competitive baseball leagues as batting athletes. Participants will be randomly assigned into three groups (control, placebo, intervention) (n=20/group) and engage in batting training everyday for ten consecutive days. Three assessment days (pre-test, an immediate post-intervention retention test, and a delayed retention test) will be administered, which will three types of assessment: video-based spatial anticipation, real-world temporal anticipation time, and full execution of batting skill. The analysis will compare within and between-group differences over time. The results of this study will inform research on perceptual-cognitive training, training structure, and use of interactive video-based training in youth baseball training in batting.