Comparison of blue-yellow opponent color contrast sensitivity function between female badminton players and non-athletes

ABSTRACT

To compare the chromatic contrast sensitivity Junction [CSF] for the blue-yellow opponent channel [BYOC] between female badminton players and non-athlete controls, We recruited 40 young females [18-25 years old] who played badminton for at least 5 consecutive years as the test group, and 30 age-matched female control; who had no history of regular physical activity. The Pattern generator [TM] system was used to test the CSF for the BYOC which was performed at three spatial frequencies [SFs] of 2 cycles per degree [cpd], 5 cpd, and 25 cpd. Comparison of BYOC thresholds showed significantly better results in rhe lest group for alt three SFs [P<0.001]. B and pass shift [better CSF in the middle SF] was seen in the test group. The control group had low pass [bettfer CSF in the low SF]. Ocular motility [heterophoria, fusional convergence and divergence at far and near distances, and near point of convergence] was better in the test group, but the inter-group difference was not significant. The BYOC threshold results for badminton players indicated a better visual performance which may be a result of enhanced performance of the parallel processing of the parvocellular and magnocellular systems. This may be inherent and/or acquired in badminton players. In addition, badminton players appear to have developed sensory-motor programmed activities. Testing the CSF for BYOC may be useful for athlete selection in different levels and/or used as a criterion for screening players in the field of badminton