Scientists find that some people notice the ball in play faster: study

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Irish scientists may have found out why some people are quicker to notice a ball flying towards them during sports games.

It turned out that the speed of visual perception in people varies greatly, which means that some people can “see” more information per second than others.

Research conducted at Trinity College Dublin, published in Plos One magazine, reports MedicalXpress.

The speed of visual perception is known to vary between species. However, the researchers decided to find out whether there are differences in this indicator among representatives of the same species – people

As part of the experiment, scientists used a “flicker test” – the participants were shown a light that flashed faster and faster (at one point – so fast that it seemed completely stationary). Participants were then asked up to what point they had seen the flickering.

Some of them noted that the light was stationary when in fact it was flashing about 35 times per second. At the same time, others were able to perceive flickering at a rate of more than 60 times per second.

Thus, the experiment showed significant differences in the speed with which people perceive moving images. Among women, these indicators are more variable than among men.

“We don’t yet know how this difference in perceptual speed may affect our lives, but we believe that individual differences may become apparent in situations where we need to find or track fast-moving objects.

For example, in sports ball games, or in situations where visual scenes change rapidly, such as in competitive games.” – said study author Clinton Harlem.

So some people have an innate advantage over others, especially in volleyball or tennis. At the same time, those who are not so lucky with the speed of perception have a greater risk of losing the ball or not hitting it.

Experts believe that the results of the study may also have significance for the natural world and explain how some animals are able to avoid predators, or vice versa – to catch prey.

It will be recalled that scientists previously explained why you can see the “face of Jesus” on bread, the “skull” on the planet and other faces on inanimate objects.

It also became known which group of people is more prone to such optical illusions.