Embodied perception in sport

Embodied perception theory proposes that rather than being solely determined by the physical properties of the world, our perception of the objects in our environment is scaled by our ability to interact with them. On the surface, this idea is consistent with the common observation of highly skilled athletes that targets look bigger and/or move more slowly when performance level is high. In this review, I first examine recent empirical evidence that supports the idea that the perception of objects in the sporting environment is embodied. I next consider the specific mechanisms underlying embodiment in sport and discuss its potential functional value for athletes in terms of action selection. Finally, I explore how embodied perception might be exploited on a practical level to improve skill acquisition and evaluate training programs in sport.