BACKGROUND: The peak sports performance of elite athletes is the result of talent and long-term, systematic training. Only minor differences among athletes determine the results in sport today. In selected sports events, stereoscopic vision has a fundamental influence on the executed sports performance. METHODS: The quality of stereopsis was determined in 2 groups of top-level athletes at the age of 16-18 years (21 pole vaulters and high jumpers and 25 swimmers) and in a control group of 25 nonathletes in the same age category. Two measured parameters (results and time in the stereopsis test) were compared among the studied groups. To determine the quality of stereopsis, the "Fly-S Stereo Acuity Test with LEA Symbols" field stereoacuity test was used. RESULTS: The average level of stereopsis in the pole vaulters and high jumpers reached the value of 9.9 (max. 10), and the average time needed for performing the stereopsis test was 11.6 seconds. The group of swimmers and control group showed worse results in both measured parameters (the average level of stereopsis: 9.4, resp. 9.1, the average test time: 30.0 seconds, resp. 36.1 seconds). A significant difference between the group of pole vaulters and high jumpers and swimmers was confirmed in both monitored parameters. No significant differences were found between the group of swimmers and nonathletes. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the stereopsis test results, we can say that top-level pole vaulters and high jumpers have a high quality of stereopsis and very fast identification and decision-making abilities in spatial orientation.

Department of Ophthalmology University Hospital of Pilsen Czech Republic

Department of Physical Education and Sport Science Faculty of Education University of West Bohemia Pilsen Czech Republic

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