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Fast saccadic movements are essential in successful performance of referees and their decision making in sports events. The aim of this study is to determine the velocity of saccadic eye movements of basketball referees by dynamic electero-oculogram.

This study was performed on twelve male expert basketball referees and fourteen novice basketball referees with age range of 18 to 38 years. Refractive errors and visual acuity test were performed for all participants. Velocity of saccadic for the angle of 40 degrees (20 degrees to the right and 20 degrees to the left) was evaluated by dynamic electero-oculogram (EOG). Statistical comparison between groups for the velocity of saccadic eye movements was performed by independent T-test.

The mean velocity of saccadic eye movements (gaze to right and left) in expert referees was 743.43±60,732.00±40deg/sec and in novice referees was 669.64±87.1, 675.33±86 deg/sec, respectively, which the difference was statistically significant  (P <0.05). Velocity of saccadic eye movements was faster in expert referees in comparison with novice referees.

It seems that expert referees due to being more involved in dynamic exercise situation can predict better events based on environmental analysis and they have faster saccadic movements which may attributed to intensive practice and experience.