- Installing and Troubleshooting the VEPT
- What are the minimum operating requirements?
- Are there optimal lighting conditions?
- What is the optimal viewing distance from the computer screen?
- What size monitor is required?
- What program does Vizual Edge require to operate?
- What if I am using a pop up blocker?
- How long does a session last?
- Should I wear my glasses or contacts when I evaluate or train?
- Will training reduce the need for the use of glasses or contact lenses?
- Do I need Game Controller?
- What are the Red - Blue Glasses for?
- Can any Red – Blue Glasses be used?
- Which side of the glasses does the red lens go on?
- What is the training procedure?
- What do I do if my eye alignment is not centered?
- What if the athlete cannot see the depth targets?
- Why are there five testing exercises and four training exercises?
- When can I expect to notice improvement on field or court?
- What will I notice when I play after training?
- What if the athlete is colored blind?
- What if I had Laser Vision Correction?
- What if I have Bifocals?
- What if I am over 40 and have monovision correction?
- How do I adjust the training to make the exercises more difficult?
- Should I train right before I go on the field or court?
- How do I adjust the training to make the exercises easier?
- Will increased training help?
- Can I train during season?
- Will the training impact my ability to read?
- Can I over train?
- Will I need a maintenance program?
- Glossary: Eyesight
- Glossary: Vizual Alignment
- Glossary: Depth Perception
- Glossary: Vizual Flexibility
- Glossary: Vizual Recognition
- Glossary: Vizual Tracking
- Glossary: Edge Score ™
Installing and Troubleshooting the VEPT
Click here for directions on Installing and Troubleshooting the VEPT
What are the minimum operating requirements?
The VEPT is compatible with any recent operating system on PC or Mac.
Are there optimal lighting conditions?
VEPT should be used in a room with dim ambient lighting. There should not be any glare reflecting on your monitor screen. The use of the VEPT outdoors is challenging due to bright lighting conditions.
What is the optimal viewing distance from the computer screen?
Approximately 24 to 36 inches is the best range.
What size monitor is required?
15 inch minimum screen up to a maximum of 26 inch diagonal.
What program does Vizual Edge require to operate?
Vizual Edge requires the use of Java to operate on your computer. Java is a free Windows program. It can be downloaded from the internet.
What if I am using a pop up blocker?
Mozilla – some users may have to go to tools, options , content, and then allow pop ups for http://www.athletes.vizualedge.com Internet Explorer – some users may have to go to tools, pop up settings, and set to allow http://www.athletes.vizualedge.com Upon launch of the exercises it will ask about “downloading” answer “yes” to download the files Add to your trusted sites. Safari - users have “pop up window” blockers… they will need to go to options and change the pop up blocker if it is turned on. Google Chrome - To turn javascript off and on go to the tool tab at the top Click on "Options" Go to "Under The Hood" Click on "Content Settings" Click on the "JavaScript" tab As for clearing the cache instead of clicking on "Content Settings" Click on "Clear Browsing Data" on that same screen You may find that JavaScript is already on so you may have to download the newer version
How long does a session last?
A session can run for up to 20 minutes. Most athletes train for approximately 8 - 12 minutes.
Should I wear my glasses or contacts when I evaluate or train?
It is essential that the athlete wear proper vision correction and have their eyesight checked/corrected before using the product.
Will training reduce the need for the use of glasses or contact lenses?
This type of training is dependent on good eyesight, but will not improve it.
Do I need Game Controller?
A controller is not mandatory, however using one makes the evaluation and training process more interactive and enhances the experience. Arrow keys on the keyboard will operate with the VEPT. Check the Vizual Edge website for Game Controller suggestions.
What are the Red - Blue Glasses for?
The glasses allow the user to experience 3D, they are required for the Alignment, Depth, and Flexibility Exercises in both Evaluation and Training. They are not used for the Recognition or Tracking Exercises.
Can any Red – Blue Glasses be used?
Glasses from other manufacturers may not be color compatible with the VEPT. Polarized glasses cannot be used.
Which side of the glasses does the red lens go on?
The red lens should be in the glasses frame over the right eye.
What is the training procedure?
Typically the training takes place 1-3 times per week for 15-20 minutes. For 4-16 weeks
What do I do if my eye alignment is not centered?
If the eye alignment is not centered this may indicate a spatial perception deficiency. Horizontal disparity is common and may be indirectly improved with training. Vertical (Hyper) disparity may indicate a complex eye alignment problem that may not be correctable.
What if the athlete cannot see the depth targets?
If not colorblind, it would indicate that athlete does not use their two eyes together. This may be caused by poor eyesight in one or both eyes. This may or may not be a trainable or correctable with glasses or contact lenses.
Why are there five testing exercises and four training exercises?
The first test (alignment) cannot be trained directly, but is impacted by utilizing the training exercises.
When can I expect to notice improvement on field or court?
Typically an athlete will notice an initial improvement in their ability to “see” the ball, puck, field after 2-4 weeks of training.
What will I notice when I play after training?
Frequently it is a coach, trainer, or parent who first notices an improvement in play. The athlete should notice an improvement in their visual confidence. Many athletes notice that they “have more time” to judge what they see on field/court.
What if the athlete is colored blind?
Most athletes know if they are colorblind. They may have difficulty determining the red/blue targets needed in the first three evaluation exercises and the Eye Flexibility training. There would be no effect on the arrow testing/training.
What if I had Laser Vision Correction?
There is no effect on the testing/training with a typical good result.
What if I have Bifocals?
Use the distance portion of glasses for testing/training
What if I am over 40 and have monovision correction?
Monovision can affect depth perception. If the athlete is wearing contact lenses they should wear distance correction in both eyes.
How do I adjust the training to make the exercises more difficult?
The training section allows for the ability to customize the level of difficulty in each exercise. Like other weight training programs increasing the demand and accuracy is essential. Many variables can be altered such as target size, speed, difficulty, and length of training. There are no specific guidelines other than to improve accuracy, and to improve (decreasing) the response times.
Should I train right before I go on the field or court?
Some athletes use the training as a “warm-up” before playing. Others are concerned about visual fatigue and will not train for a number of hours prior to playing.
How do I adjust the training to make the exercises easier?
In a similar situation to increasing the difficulty, one can vary the speed, difficulty and target size.
Will increased training help?
There is no indication that increasing the training is beneficial. Just like any weight training program it will take a period of time to build strength and duration.
Can I train during season?
Yes. Our experiences with major league baseball teams have shown that training is effective in and out of season.
Will the training impact my ability to read?
This type of training was originally developed for children with reading disorders. Since similar visual skills are used for both sports and reading, there is frequently a cross over benefit.
Can I over train?
Many athletes will notice some eye fatigue or a struggle to maintain correct eye posture during training. Most athletes will train for 1-2 minutes on each exercise to begin. The duration can be adjusted according to your level of skill. The number of training sessions performed can be adjusted according to your level of skill. Training sessions can be reduced to once or twice a month to maintain your skills after the initial 4 – 16 weeks.
Will I need a maintenance program?
New visual skill habits are reinforced by other activities such as reading, driving, and watching TV. However, enhancement training is often required to maintain superior visual skills.
Glossary: Eyesight
Static visual acuity is a basic measurement of stationary vision. It is imperative that athletes have 20/20 or better vision with or without correction. If eyesight is reduced it will adversely affect both the testing results and on-field performance. It can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses or laser vision correction. Good visual acuity is the foundation for the visual skills.
Glossary: Vizual Alignment
Vizual Alignment
Coaches teach “watch the ball.” This exercise measures where an athlete’s eyes aim on a given target. Alignment can impact the perception of where the ball is in free space and timing. If there is a minimal eye muscle imbalance it may have no impact on performance. If the eyes aim in front of a given target, this can result in athletes timing being “early”. If the eyes aim in back of a target, this can result in the athletes timing being “late”.
For instance, if a baseball player's alignment is in front of a target, it might result in an early swing or be inconsistent in performance. Alignment behind a target might result in a late swing or be inconsistent in performance.
Vizual Alignment
Alignment scoring choices:
Centered – aim correctly on the target.
Before – aim in front of the target
After – aim in back of the target.
Hyper – aim above the target.
0 – 1 steps of alignment deviation are normal.
(0 is peak score) the desired score for an elite athlete is 0
1 Before or after
Represents a minor binocular eye muscle imbalance. The aiming of the eyes is inaccurate. Typically a score of (1) has minimal impact on athletic performance.
Alignment in front of the ball can result in “being early” or inconsistent performance.
Alignment in back of the ball can result in “being late” or inconsistent.
2-4 Before or After
Represents a moderate binocular eye muscle imbalance. The aiming of the eyes is inaccurate.
This can impact timing, balance, perception of items in free space and decisions made on field. Higher scores indicate larger eye muscle imbalances.
Alignment in front of the ball can result in “being early” or inconsistent performance.
Alignment in back of the ball can result in “being late” or inconsistent.
5 or greater Before or After
Represents a large binocular eye muscle imbalance. The aiming of the eyes is inaccurate.
This can impact timing, balance, perception of items in free space and decisions made on field. Higher scores indicate large eye muscle imbalances.
Alignment in front of the ball can result in “being early” or inconsistent performance.
Alignment in back of the ball can result in “being late” or inconsistent.
Glossary: Depth Perception
Depth perception or “3D” requires the simultaneous efficient use of the two eyes together. An athlete’s level of depth perception impacts the ability to perceive an objects speed and location in free space. This perception of depth can be influenced by visual acuity.
Depth perception cannot be trained directly but can be improved through appropriate corrective eye wear or through visual skills training.
Depth Perception
# of Correct Responses
0 -1 out of 4 Very limited depth perception.
2 out of 4 Moderately limited depth perception.
3 out of 4 Mildly reduced Depth Perception.
4 out of 4 Perfect depth perception.
Glossary: Vizual Flexibility
Binocular - convergence & divergence
The test measures the athlete’s ability to shift the gaze of the two eyes from near to far. As well as, the ability to recover from the effort required to move the eyes in each direction. The speed and efficiency of the binocular eye movements can influence the perception of depth as well as the processing of visual stimuli when looking near to far etc. This skill impacts the act of “looking”; near to far to near; watching the ball; taking good angles; locating holes, and judging sidelines etc.
Convergence: the binocular eye movements used as a target moves toward you.
Divergence: the binocular eye movements used to view targets at distance.
Convergence
Strive for 90% accuracy or higher during your training. Train convergence and alternating flexibility to improve this skill. Alternating flexibility is a more challenging training exercise. It simulates the “real world” eye movements used on field / court.
Station Score in this exercise represents how efficient your eyes aim in the convergence posture.
Many athletes who score in the excellent category still choose to train in order to enhance their existing excellent skills.
In evaluation the maximum achievable station score is 77 and 100% accuracy.
Station Score Ranges:
0 – 25 /77 weak
26 – 45/77 fair
46 – 60/77 good
61 – 77/77 excellent
Divergence
Strive for 90% accuracy or higher during your training. Train divergence and alternating flexibility to improve this skill. Alternating flexibility is a more challenging training exercise. It simulates the “real world” eye movements used on field / court.
Station Score in this exercise represents how efficient your eyes aim in the divergence posture. Maximum possible score in this skill area is 77 theoretically; it is rare that an athlete scores higher than 50. Many athletes who score in the excellent category still choose to train in order to enhance their existing excellent skills.
Station Score Ranges:
0-10 /77 weak
11-18 /77 fair
19 – 24 /77 good
25 – 40 /77 excellent
Glossary: Vizual Recognition
The ability to view a series of simple visual targets, process the information and respond with correct motor movements. This skill stimulates the areas of the brain that control calling up previous visual information and experiences. This influences skills on field such as pitch recognition, return of serve, consistency of catching, determining location of other players on the playing field and decisions made based on what is happening as the play develops.
Game controllers: Some athlete’s scores are reduced if they are unfamiliar with the game controller on the first evaluation.
Recogniton
Increase the number of arrows, adjust the flash time, reduce the size of the targets in order to improve this skill area. Smaller targets are more difficult, Strive for 90% accuracy or higher during your training.
Train to respond as quickly and accurately as possible as you adjust the training settings.
Game controllers: Some athlete’s scores are reduced if they are unfamiliar with the game controller on the first evaluation.
Reaction Time Ranges:
(lower scores = faster response times)
2.0 – 4.0 seconds weak
1.5 - 1.9 seconds fair
1.0 – 1.49 seconds good
.01 - .99 seconds excellent
Glossary: Vizual Tracking
The ability to follow a simple target, process it, and respond with the correct motor movement. This influences the ability to react quickly and make correct decisions. “See – think – react” Adjust the flash time and reduce the size of the targets in order to improve this skill area. Strive for 90% or higher during your training session. Train to respond as quickly and accurately as possible as you adjust the training settings.
Game controllers: Some athlete’s scores are reduced if they are unfamiliar with the game controller on the first evaluation.
(lower scores = faster response times)
Reaction time
Greater than 0.8 seconds weak
0.6 - 0.79 seconds fair
0.4 - 0.59 seconds good
0.39 seconds or faster excellent
Glossary: Edge Score ™
The Edge Score is a derived value of each visual skills category based on a weighted formula that results in a single number score. This comparative score allows for evaluation of one athlete's skills to another, and/or track their pre- and post-training scores. To maximize the value of your ranking assessment, we only compare initial evaluations with other initial evaluations.
