Effects of Different Basketball Shooting Positions and Distances on Gaze Behavior and Shooting Accuracy

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The main purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of basketball shooting performed in different positions and distances, on gaze behavior and shooting accuracy. For shooting accuracy, the authors used different playing positions and distances. Besides, different environmental constraints and audience noise were used for gaze behavior. The study structure seems fit for such research. I think, the topic is interesting, and could be used in practice.

 

The methods are comprehensive. However, the sample seems questionable.  Did the authors perform a Power analysis to determine the number of minimum participants?  The statistical process should be improved.

Regression analysis may be used to reinforce the study findings. Furthermore, the study findings could be presented in graphs for such a study design.

 

The topic is original and could be practically used.  Considering the low number of studies regarding the study topic, the results could be useful for future research.

 

The materials used in the study (Tobii Pro 19 Glasses 3) may be considered an addition. Also, the study hypothesis tested for male and female subjects. This could be an exception compared with other studies. These results could be beneficial for coaches and athletes since different shooting types and distances are investigated by the authors.

 

The conclusions include the answers to study questions.  The authors well addressed the main study findings.

 

The references are appropriate. But, more recent study findings should be used. The majority of references belong to the past 20 years. 

As I mentioned under the 2. question title, the study results should be presented as graphs so that the readers can easily focus on the details.

 

Author Response

the main purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of basketball shooting performed in different positions and distances, on gaze behavior and shooting accuracy. For shooting accuracy, the authors used different playing positions and distances. Besides, different environmental constraints and audience noise were used for gaze behavior. The study structure seems fit for such research. I think, the topic is interesting, and could be used in practice.

Reviewer: The methods are comprehensive. However, the sample seems questionable. Did the authors perform a Power analysis to determine the number of minimum participants? The statistical process should be improved.

Authors answer: Thanks for the remark. In fact, the study considered a previous analysis to predict the sample size. About the sample, in other investigations about visual behavior in the basketball shooting, the sample is less than 20 athletes (Marques, R.; Martins, F.; Mendes, R.; Coelho e Silva, M.; Dias, G. The use of Eye Tracking Glasses in Basketball Shooting: A Systematic Review. J Phys Educ Sport 2018, 18(1), 175–183. (at https://efsupit.ro/images/stories/martie2018/Art%2023.pdf). The reference focuses on the number of trials analyzed. Our data collection comprised a total of 1,980 jump shots (18 athletes x 11 experimental conditions x 10 basketball shots per condition) as we refer to in line 138: "In each shooting position, all athletes performed 10 shots in each condition (baseline, gym audience noise and opposition), totalizing 1980 valid data points."

Reviewer: Regression analysis may be used to reinforce the study findings. Furthermore, the study findings could be presented in graphs for such a study design.

Authors answer: The reviewer is right although the regression was not performed nor the graphics for this study as some of information would be lost and it might become a bit confusing. Our choice to present data in tables instead of graphs is because in this way it is possible to present more complete and detailed information about each of the researched variables.

Reviewer: The topic is original and could be practically used. Considering the low number of studies regarding the study topic, the results could be useful for future research.

Authors answer: Authors thank reviewer comment.

Reviewer: The materials used in the study (Tobii Pro Glasses 3) may be considered an addition. Also, the study hypothesis tested for male and female subjects. This could be an exception compared with other studies. These results could be beneficial for coaches and athletes since different shooting types and distances are investigated by the authors.

Authors answer: Authors thank reviewer comment.

Reviewer: The conclusions include the answers to study questions. The authors well addressed the main study findings.

Authors answer: Authors thank reviewer comment.

Reviewer: The references are appropriate. But more recent study findings should be used. The majority of references belong to the past 20 years.

Authors answer: The reviewer is correct about some old references. In fact, there are 5 references with more than 20 years but are essential to this study. However, there are 19 references since 2019 until now in a total of 41 references.

Reviewer: As I mentioned under the 2. question title, the study results should be presented as graphs so that the readers can easily focus on the details.

Authors answer: The reviewer is absolutely right. Graphs are often more intuitive for readers. However, in the present study we did not consider them because, in our opinion, it was a little confusing. Our choice to present data in tables instead of graphs is since in this way it is possible to present more complete and detailed information about each of the researched variables.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Congratulations on your research, I consider it may have a good acceptance in the scientific community.  

Some considerations to improve the manuscript  

INTRODUCTION  

I think it is important to include some reference at the beginning (where it is said "that now people play more, that identifying the shooting technique is the most important thing...), to be based on scientific evidence.  

On the other hand, the foundation in general is very good, addressing other sports and basketball, as well as the specific technique  

MATERIAL AND METHODS  This section (participants, procedure, study design, statistical analysis) should be separated into different sections.  

Participants: indicate if they were of the same nationality or different nationalities.  

RESULTS  

Very good work, although I would like to see some reference where the magnitude of the effect size is indicated (when it is considered small, medium or large)  

 

DISCUSSION  

I consider we should start by talking about the objectives and the hypothesis of the study. On the other hand, I believe that some aspects such as the following should be included:  

Limitations: the size of the sample, I think it is an important factor. Future research could also include different categories and also differentiate by sex (in this study, I think it would have been interesting to assess whether there were differences between men and women. This is an aspect that if the authors consider, it could be highly relevant)

Congratulations

Author Response

Congratulations on your research, I consider it may have a good acceptance in the scientific community.

Some considerations to improve the manuscript.

INTRODUCTION

Reviewer: I think it is important to include some reference at the beginning (where it is said "that now people play more, that identifying the shooting technique is the most important thing...), to be based on scientific evidence.

Authors answer: According to the reviewer suggestion some references were added to the sentence in line 40: “…coaches [1-3].”

Reviewer: On the other hand, the foundation in general is very good, addressing other sports and basketball, as well as the specific technique.

Authors answer: Authors thanks reviewer comment.

Reviewer: MATERIAL AND METHODS This section (participants, procedure, study design, statistical analysis) should be separated into different sections.

Authors answer: According to the reviewer suggestion, section was divided into 3 sections: 2.1. Participants; 2.2. Study Design; 2.3. Statistical analysis. Also, a new sentence was added in line 120: “This section describes all materials and methods present in this study.”.

Reviewer: Participants: indicate if they were of the same nationality or different nationalities.

Authors answer: According to the reviewer suggestion, a new sentence was added to the text, line 124: “of two different nationalities (Cape Verde and Portuguese), and”.

RESULTS

Reviewer: Very good work, although I would like to see some reference where the magnitude of the effect size is indicated (when it is considered small, medium or large)

Authors answer: According to the reviewer suggestion, a new reference was added in the title of table 4: “[41]”. Also, some corrections were made to the table, regarding the effect size, which the authors found to be faulty. A new sentence was added to the test, line 225: “The qualitative magnitude is identified according to [41].”

 

DISCUSSION

Reviewer: I consider we should start by talking about the objectives and the hypothesis of the study. On the other hand, I believe that some aspects such as the following should be included:

Limitations: the size of the sample, I think it is an important factor. Future research could also include different categories and also differentiate by sex (in this study, I think it would have been interesting to assess whether there were differences between men and women. This is an aspect that if the authors consider, it could be highly relevant)

Authors answer: According to the reviewer suggestion, a new sentence was added to the text, line 234 “This study aimed to analyze the gaze behaviour and shooting accuracy in differ-ent shooting positions and distances, under the interference of environmental con-straints of simulated opposition and gym audience noise. The hypothesis that differ-ences exist when shooting at a greater distance was confirmed.”

Also, a new sentence about limitations of the study was added, line 271 “Also, using a sample consisting of a larger number of players of different genders and age groups in a future study, may provide data that allow a comparison between gen-ders and ages, which is an added value for the study carried out.”.

Reviewer: Congratulations

Authors answer: Authors thank reviewer comment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf