Integrating advanced visual information with ball projection technology constrains dynamic interceptive actions

The role of advanced visual information in ball catching was investigated by integrating video images of action and ball projection technology in four different conditions: Integrated video and ball projection (VBP), Video-Only (VO), Ball Projection-Only (BPO) and Misleading Ball projection (MBP). Hand kinematics and gaze behaviour data were collected from participants who attempted to catch balls one handed in all conditions. During VBP, catching performance was more successful, tracking of the ball occurred earlier and lasted longer, with maximum grip aperture emerging earlier with a slower maximum velocity than in BPO. During VO, movement emerged later than VBP, with larger maximum and minimum grip aperture compared to VBP and BPO. Results provided evidence that advance information, prior to ball release, and vision of a ball’s trajectory are essential for successful performance and integrated projection technology may provide a representative design for studying interceptive actions.