Oculometric Variables of Young Soccer Players during Dribbling: A Dual-Task Study
(Evrensel Heper, Gülçin Güler, Ece Ayaz Kanat, Erkan Akdoğan, Deniz Şimşek)

Eye movements are reliable indicators of cognitive workload associated with the visual demands of tasks. This study investigated oculometric variables (pupil diameter, fixation count, and saccades) in soccer players with different experience levels during dual-task (motor-cognitive) performances. Twenty-eight male youth soccer players were included: an elite group (n = 13) and an amateur group (n = 15). A within-subject design was used, and players completed four test protocols (P1–P4) involving dribbling with or without concurrent visual stimuli. Performance times, error counts, and oculometric data were recorded. Both groups required more time to complete protocols when visual stimuli were added (p < 0.001). The elite group completed tasks faster and with fewer mistakes than the amateur group (p < 0.05). Pupil dilation was observed across all protocols, with the largest dilation occurring in P1 (p < 0.001), although no group differences were found in pupil size changes (p > 0.05). The elite group demonstrated fewer fixations and more saccades compared to the amateur group. Fewer fixations and saccades were observed in P1 than in the other protocols (p < 0.05). Experienced players displayed more saccadic movements, possibly reflecting more efficient visual scanning strategies under cognitive load. No evidence of peripheral vision usage was found. These findings suggest experience-related differences in oculomotor behavior during complex dual-task scenarios, yet further studies are needed before practical training implications can be drawn.