A research team at Dublin City University in Ireland has published a paper
Goalkeepers have unique information-processing abilities compared to others
In soccer, goalkeepers play the role of ‘guardians’ protecting the goal. They are the only players in a soccer position who can freely defend against the opposing team’s shots. Recent overseas research has drawn attention by suggesting that soccer goalkeepers process various sensory information differently than players in other positions. We introduce a study that provides a glimpse into the unique information processing style of goalkeepers.
■ Unique Experiment Conducted by Irish Researchers
The research findings of a team from Dublin City University in Ireland were published in the international academic journal ‘Current Biology’ on the 10th (local time). The researchers gathered 60 participants, including professional soccer goalkeepers, players in other positions, and non-players of similar ages. They conducted tests to determine differences in the ability to distinguish sounds and flashes. Participants were shown one or two images and either heard low-frequency sounds once or twice or not at all. Despite the shorter exposure time, the group with the goalkeeper made fewer mistakes than the other groups.
■ Soccer Goalkeepers Excel in Processing Various Sensory Information
The researchers focused on the unique information-processing abilities of goalkeepers. They showed a strong tendency to separate visual and auditory information. The Dublin City University team speculated that this characteristic may have developed because goalkeepers must make quick decisions based on incomplete sensory information during soccer games.
■ Goalkeepers Separate Sensory Signals
Michael Quinn, a national team player from Ireland and the first author of the Dublin City University research paper, said of the goalkeepers’ information processing abilities, “Goalkeepers have to be different from other players. They have to make thousands of decisions quickly using limited and incomplete sensory information.” The research leader, Professor David McGovern, explained, “Goalkeepers infer various signals faster. They separate sensory signals. Sometimes, they can’t see the ball and only hear the sound of it being kicked, and they must determine its location.”
■ The Study Was Conducted on Male Players, But Experiments on Female Players Are Planned
The Dublin City University study was conducted on males only. The team plans to research female players soon after obtaining meaningful research results. It was reported that the researchers also want to investigate whether there are differences in sensory information processing abilities and perception abilities among players in other specialized positions, such as center backs and strikers.
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