| Sumario: | Background: Athletes rely on more than visual acuity for optimal visual performance. As a constant surplus of visual information is presented, a player must identify relevant stimuli as rapidly and accurately as possible. This makes visual recognition, processing, and reaction time essential. This study will investigate peripheral awareness and reaction time abilities among players on the New York Jets professional football team. Methods: Ninety players underwent visual examination, including visual acuity, hand and eye dominance testing, and Wayne Saccadic Fixator testing. Players were classified into one of two groups, skilled and non-skilled, based on field position. Skilled position players included quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, tight ends, safeties, defensive corner backs, punters, and place kickers. Non-skilled position players included offensive linemen, defensive linemen, and linebackers. Trial scores from multiple Wayne Saccadic Fixator programs were collected and analyzed. Results: No significant difference was found between skilled and non-skilled professional football players on peripheral awareness programs. However, regarding reaction time, a significant difference was found between the two groups, where the skilled players showed faster times. Conclusions: This study sought to investigate visual differences among professional athletes in the National Football League. Our study found players of all positions to have similar peripheral awareness and eye-hand coordination abilities. Players in skilled positions showed faster visual reaction times.
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