This study examines the effects of visual training applied to professional kumite karate athletes. In karate, rapid decision-making, opponent perception at the right time, effective implementation of strategic moves and reaction time are largely dependent on visual perception skills. In this context, our study investigated how vision training improves visual acuity and sportive performance of kumite karate athletes.

Before the study, ethical approval was obtained from Marmara University Faculty of Medicine Ethics Committee with the number 09.2024.611. The study was started with 24 national athletes from Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Kağıtspor Team and was carried out on 23 athletes after one athlete in the control group was injured. The athletes who were examined by an ophthalmologist before the study, who did not have any visual problems and who did not have any surgical operation and/or injury history that would adversely affect the balance in the last 6 months were randomly divided into 2 groups. The 12-member vision training group was subjected to a vision training programme that included eye exercises accompanied by a physiotherapist for 3 sessions per week in addition to their routine training for 4 weeks, while the control group continued their routine training. At the beginning of the study (week 0) and at the end of the training (week 4), 't ruler-nelson hand reaction test', 'sit & lie flexibility test' were performed by another physiotherapist, and 'snellen test' measurements were performed by an ophthalmologist for 'visual acuity' evaluation of the athletes. The researcher who performed the reaction time and flexibility measurements and the physician who assessed visual acuity performed the measurements without knowing which group the athletes were in. After statistically homogeneous-normality evaluation of the groups, Independent Sample t Test was used for comparison of descriptive characteristics between the groups. Mixed-order analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the variables in the groups according to the follow-up times. Bonferroni correction was applied for the comparison of main effects in the analyses. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being a 'Karate-Do' style athlete in Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Kağıtspor
• To be at A national team level
• To continue active sports life
• To be between the ages of 15-35

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having any eye disease
• Any surgery or serious pathology in the last 6 months
• Any history of traumatic brain injury in the last 6 months
• Upper/lower extremity injury in the last 3 months
• Having one of the systemic disorders (such as musculoskeletal system, respiratory system) Being younger than fifteen years old and older than thirty-five years old History of a disease related to balance, vestibular system Regular use of medication related to the vestibular system, vision and balance Presence of congenital anomalies

All athletes who participated in the study, the researcher who performed the measurements and the people who performed the statistical evaluation did not know which athlete was in which group.