An Australian researcher says the extreme precision and reaction speed of Olympic divers and gymnasts can be attributed to unique visual training and skills which allow them to see and process information at blinding speeds.
When University of Melbourne senior lecturer Christine Nearchou watches elite athletes perform, much of her attention is focused on their eyes.
"I'm watching just how well they're using their visual system to then drive what they physically can do. In particular with gymnastics, just watching their visual system, how focused they are, you can see it in their face, you can see that their vision is laser sharp and they've already planned out what they're going to do," she said.
Nearchou, who works in optometry and vision sciences, says the visual skills found in Olympic divers and gymnasts are very different from what most of us possess.
"Studies show that they are able to manipulate their visual system and their natural reflexes so that they can bring their eyes and their eye movements to where they need to be. For example, we have a reflex or a primitive reflex that we're born with called the vestibular ocular reflex or gaze stabilization," Nearchou said.
For elite divers and gymnasts, this stabilization can get in the way, and part of their training involves learning how to shut it off. Another critical skill athletes rely on is visualization -- seeing exactly what they are about to do in incredible detail.
"So, they're gaining more information, they're analyzing, interpreting, learning from what they've seen and being able to compartmentalize that and then instruct the motor skills what to do. And they're doing that with not only perfect accuracy, but with perfect timing. And that's where mortals like us are in awe – when I say that they can seamlessly integrate those two systems," Nearchou said.
Nearchou said possessing highly tuned visual processing skills is critical to avoiding mistakes and serious injuries. She said these athletes are relying on those skills as they fly and twist through the air.
"So, that makes it even more unbelievable and incredible and puts us in awe. Even as a vision scientist, I'm still in awe of what they can achieve, having superiorly developed that visual cognition side of their brain," she said.
Australian researcher attributes elite athletes' high reaction speed to visual training
Displaced Palestinians in Egypt marked Eid al-Fitr, a celebration traditionally filled with family gatherings, with profound sorrow over their separation from loved ones in the Gaza Strip.
Eid-al-Fitr marks the end of the Muslim holy month of fasting (Ramadan) and the beginning of the new month in the lunar calendar. It is typically a time for joyous family reunions across the Muslim world.
However, thousands of displaced Palestinians in Egypt spent Eid al-Fitr without the embrace of family this year.
Naema Alsoury, one of the many Palestinians who fled the war in Gaza seeking medical treatment in Egypt, reflected on the painful reality of her situation.
Her young son, who has suffered from eye cancer since he was four months old, requires constant care. As a mother of five, Naema Alsoury managed to bring four of her children to Egypt, while her eldest son and husband remained behind in Gaza.
"Eid al-Fitr in Egypt is beautiful but only for those with a clear mind. I woke up happy that the kids are excited to celebrate Eid. But as I saw cars with families going for the prayer-- husbands and wives together and families, I thought I can't hug my son or husband. I can't be truly happy during Eid. This is my third Eid here without my mother, my sister and my brothers. What Eid al-Fitr is that? I live in fear, because no one knows the fate of those in Gaza -- who will live and who will die," said Naema Alsoury.
Recently, one of Naema Alsoury's uncles, along with some other family members, managed to reach Egypt for medical treatment. Her nephew spoke of the stark differences in living conditions between Egypt and Gaza.
"My nephew pointed out to me the differences between Egypt and Gaza. I may have not paid attention to that. I was talking to them via video call. He told his mother, they have electricity. Their TV is on. They can charge their mobile phone anytime. We can go to the toilet any time and there is always water there. We don't have that in Gaza now," said Naema Alsoury.
Egyptians across many cities have used the annual Eid al-Fitr Prayer gathering to support Palestinians in the besieged enclave.
"Eid this year and the year before has been different because we are very sad about what's happening to our Palestinian Brothers, that they are getting forced to leave their land. They are facing injustice. As Egyptians we support our President's calls to reject displacement, they are our Arab brothers. We support them," said Islam El Hawary, an Egyptian citizen.
Displaced Palestinians in Egypt mark Eid al-Fitr amid heartache, separation from family
