Interdependence of vision and audition among inexperienced and experienced tennis players

Abstract

Experienced (n = 14) and inexperienced (n = 12) tennis players were tested for response to a tennis ball hit to either the right, left, or directly at them under two auditory conditions. In one condition, subjects heard the impact of the ball against the racquet strings. In the other condition, subjects wore sound protectors that completely eliminated the auditory signal. In the latter condition reaction time was slowed when the ball was hit directly at the subject. Experienced and inexperienced tennis players were equally affected, indicating prior interdependence of audition and vision in tennis. No difference in response time was observed for groups of differing experience. © Perceptual and Motor Skills 1997.