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The ‘Quiet Eye’ and Motor Performance: A Systematic Review Based on Newell’s Constraints-Led Model

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Abstract

Introduction

The quiet eye (final fixation to a specific target prior to movement initiation) is a perceptual skill robustly associated with expertise and superior performance. The benefit of the phenomenon has been demonstrated in a range of sporting tasks. The mechanism(s) underpinning this phenomenon are much-debated and are associated with varying assumptions.

Objective

This systematic review categorizes previous quiet eye research based on Newell’s 1986 model of interacting constraints.

Data Sources

Three electronic databases (Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed) were searched from inception until February 2015. Details of relevant studies were also obtained from one literature review and two book chapters.

Eligibility Criteria and Synthesis Methods

To frame the discussion of research evidence concerning the quiet eye, previous studies were evaluated based on a classification of manipulating performer, environment, and task constraints. Additionally, associative studies (without specific constraints), and interacting constraints (affecting more than one constraint) were considered.

Results

This review emphasizes that the quiet eye is beneficial for performing aiming tasks and that Newell’s constraints model provides a useful framework for organizing knowledge in this area.

Conclusion

Despite the robust research on the value of the quiet eye, several gaps in current knowledge exist regarding the mechanism of the quiet eye effect.

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Notes

  1. In this context, it is important to mention that these assumptions were only associations and were not tested experimentally.

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Author notes

    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Department of Sport Psychology, Institute of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Muenster, Horstmarer Landweg 62 b, 48149, Muenster, Germany

      Rebecca Rienhoff & Bernd Strauß

    2. Institute for Sport Science, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany

      Judith Tirp & Jörg Schorer

    3. School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada

      Joseph Baker

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    1. Rebecca Rienhoff
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    2. Judith Tirp
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    Correspondence to Rebecca Rienhoff.

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    No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this review.

    Conflicts of interest

    Rebecca Rienhoff, Judith Tirp, Bernd Strauß, Joseph Baker and Jörg Schorer have no potential conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this review.

    Additional information

    R. Rienhoff and J. Tirp contributed equally to the preparation of this systematic review.

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    Rienhoff, R., Tirp, J., Strauß, B. et al. The ‘Quiet Eye’ and Motor Performance: A Systematic Review Based on Newell’s Constraints-Led Model. Sports Med 46, 589–603 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-015-0442-4

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