The Effect of Cognitive Workload on Shooting Performance and Quiet Eye Duration

Sammanfattning: This study explored the effect of cognitive workload on shooting performance and quiet eye duration (QED) using a Stroop based handgun-shooting task (Stroop shooting). Furthermore, the difference between the reverse Stroop effect and the traditional Stroop effect when shooting based on the Attentional Control Theory was assessed. The methods used were partially based on previously published research by Wood, Vine, and Wilson (2016). Ten experienced shooters went through three shooting conditions (baseline shooting, traditional Stroop shooting, and reverse Stroop shooting) while equipped with eye tracking glasses to record eye movement. One-way ANOVA with repeated measures showed that the mean shooting performance was the best in the baseline condition as well as it yielded the longest QED compared to both experimental conditions. No significant difference was found between reverse Stroop shooting and traditional Stroop shooting. The study provides insights in how the Stroop task and eye tracking can be used to assess shooting performance and quiet eye duration in controlled laboratory setting.