Keep Winning at Tennis? You May See More Images Each Second, Scientists Say
Ever wondered why some people excel in fast-paced sports or seem almost unbeatable in video games? According to new research, the secret might lie in how fast they see the world around them. It’s not just about reaction times or practice hours; it could be about how many frames per second (FPS) their eyes and brain can process.
The Advantage of a Higher Frame Rate in Visual Perception
Elite athletes and professional gamers may have a hidden superpower that gives them an edge over the competition. This superpower is known as “visual temporal resolution,” a fancy term that essentially means some people can see the world at a higher FPS. Imagine watching a movie: most films run at 24 FPS, but what if you could see it at 48 or even 60 FPS? For some, their natural ability to process visual information works in a similar way.
This higher frame rate allows them to perceive rapidly changing visual cues better than others. Whether it’s a ball flying at them at high speed or an enemy popping up in a video game, these individuals get a bit more time to react than the average person.
How Researchers Discovered This Vision Advantage
In a study conducted by researchers from Trinity College Dublin, participants were asked to look at a flickering light source. For most people, if the light flickers fast enough, it appears as a steady light due to the limitations of our visual perception. However, some participants could still discern the flickering even at much higher speeds, indicating they experience the world with a higher visual temporal resolution.
According to Clinton Haarlem, a doctoral candidate and lead researcher on the study, “This suggests that some people may have an advantage over others before they have even picked up a racquet and hit a tennis ball, or grabbed a controller and jumped into some fantasy world online.”
The implications of these findings are substantial, indicating that natural visual abilities could pre-determine potential success in fast-paced sports and competitive gaming. This innate trait might explain why certain athletes and gamers seem to react with almost superhuman speed.
Is Everyone Equally Fast-Seeing?
The study, which included both men and women aged between 18 and 35, found little difference in the results across gender. However, it also hinted that this super-charged frame rate of perception might decline with age. This could partially explain why the careers of professional gamers and some athletes peak relatively early in life.
Does This Mean You’re Stuck at Low FPS?
While the idea that some people naturally see the world more slowly might seem like a handicap, it’s important to remember that skills in sports and gaming are multi-faceted. Reflexes, strategy, stamina, and a host of other factors play significant roles in an individual’s success. So, even if you’re playing at a lower FPS, there’s plenty of room for improvement and mastery within any field.
Still, this insight into how our visual system can vary widely among individuals offers a fascinating glimpse into the complexities of human perception and performance. Perhaps, in the future, we might find ways to train our brains and eyes to see just a little bit faster, leveling the playing field for everyone.
also read:elite athletes and professional gamers may have over others when it comes to visual perception? how and why?
Divya 
Mehek