ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the use of peripheral and central vision while long jumping. Long jumping was selected for two reasons. The chapter explores a relatively straightforward pattern of optic flow, that is, primarily linear vection. Sport with a translational optic flow was selected because use of the central region of the retina for motion perception has only been reported for linear vection. The chapter argues that removal of peripheral vision reduced the distance jumped in the long jump. However, there was no evidence of a reduction in speed on the run-up. It appears therefore that central vision, while able to give information about linear vection, may not have the major role for assessing self-motion in sport, particularly where a controlled run-up is required. Few studies, however, have investigated the possible contribution of central and peripheral vision to sporting performance.
