Athletes with visual impairments are currently classified in Paralympic sport based on traditional eye tests. Human movement scientist Ward Nieboer has found that this process could be made fairer by using eye-tracking technology.
“My research focuses on improving the classification of athletes with visual impairments in Paralympic sport,” explains Ward Nieboer. The traditional eye tests currently in use don’t always accurately reflect how someone sees and performs in practice. This can lead to unfair competition. That’s why Nieboer set out to find alternative ways to assess visual impairments.
He employed eye-tracking, a technology that records eye movements. He conducted various experiments with visually impaired individuals, both in the lab and on the tennis court. “With eye-tracking, I can analyse how someone processes visual information and predict how a visual impairment affects sports performance,” says Nieboer. “I discovered that these athletes develop specific eye movement strategies for optimal performance.”
Nieboer also investigated whether eye-tracking could help prevent unfair competition by detecting intentional misrepresentation (when an athlete exaggerates their impairment). He concluded that deviations from expected eye movement patterns could indicate that an athlete is not being truthful during an eye test.
These findings contribute to fairer classification in Paralympic sport and also have broader applications, such as improved diagnostics and rehabilitation for people with visual impairments. “With eye-tracking, doctors can better understand how someone uses their vision functionally and navigates everyday life. This could lead to more effective rehabilitation programmes, for example, for people recovering from a stroke or other neurological conditions.”