August 13, 2024

Visual Skills for Mountain Biking

Experts say that sports performance is directly related to visual skills. So by improving your visual skills, you'll reap the reward in your performance. Sports vision training enhances the communication between the brain and the…
Posted by
Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy

Experts say that sports performance is directly related to visual skills. So by improving your visual skills, you’ll reap the reward in your performance. Sports vision training enhances the communication between the brain and the nine muscles of the eye to improve focus, reflexes, balance, and scanning ability.

When mountain biking, you need your eyes to quickly and efficiently convey information to your brain so it can make fast, accurate decisions to guide your body. Sports vision training can speed up your reflexes and increase your visual endurance and coordination.

Taking control of your vision can have a huge impact on the flow and speed of your riding. But becoming faster isn’t just about getting the technique right. It’s also about practice.

How Vision Works

To become a better mountain biker you need to have well-developed visual control. There are two types of vision that our eyes use to process information: ambient and focal. They work separately to deliver information from the eyes to the brain.

Ambient vision helps us move about in our environment and creates spatial awareness.

That’s central to mountain biking. Think about it. When biking on a rocky path you need to be aware of your surroundings, all while balancing on the bike at a fast pace. Your ambient vision helps you stay upright and to prevent collisions with objects in your surroundings.

Focal vision helps us see detail and recognize objects and colours.

Your focal vision focuses on the details of objects, then processes the information it sees. In mountain biking this translates to spotting and avoiding the sharpest rocks in your path. While you are actively focusing on the path, your ambient vision is still functioning, but it is not the dominant visual sense.

Sports Vision Training and Mountain Biking

Sports vision training can help improve your focal and ambient vision to improve your mountain biking skills. It works on improving:

  • Balance: the ability to stay in control of your body
  • Depth Perception: accurately and quickly judge the distance and speed of something
  • Dynamic Visual Acuity: learning to see objects clearly while they’re in motion
  • Focusing: changing focus from one object to another clearly and quickly
  • Peripheral Awareness: the ability to see objects out of the corner of your eye

Improving these skills will improve your biking experience, enabling you to control how you react to what you see on the trail while maintaining speed. Knowing when you’re too close to the edge of a cliff, or the distance between you and a tree will also make you a safer biker.

Contact Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy to learn more about sports vision training to improve your vision while you’re biking down that rocky trail.

Our practice serves patients from Victoria, Nanaimo, Duncan, and Vancouver Island, British Columbia and surrounding communities.

Share
Our Victoria Practice
Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy
200-775 Topaz Ave
Victoria, BC V8T 4Z7
Phone
(250) 590-7384
Fax
250-412-6459
Email
(Do not send personal health information by email.)
  • Monday:
    8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Tuesday:
    8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Wednesday:
    8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Thursday:
    8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Friday:
    8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Saturday:
    8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
  • Sunday:
    Closed
Rating
5.0
Out of 265 Reviews
Our Nanaimo Practice
Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy
205-1825 Bowen Rd
Nanaimo, BC V9S 1H1
Phone
(250) 591-0270
Fax
250-412-6459
Email
(Do not send personal health information by email.)
  • Monday:
    10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Tuesday:
    10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Wednesday:
    10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Thursday:
    11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Friday:
    9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Saturday:
    Closed
  • Sunday:
    Closed
Rating
4.9
Out of 59 Reviews

You Ask, We'll Answer

Educating you so you can make informed decisions

View More Resources
Want to ask a different question? Contact us here
  • What is Neuro-Optometry?

    Neuro-Optometry focuses on the intricate connection between your visual system and the brain, extending beyond traditional eye care to assess functional vision. This branch of optometry examines how your eyes track, move, coordinate, and how your brain processes depth, motion, and balance. Disruptions in these functions can lead to a range of issues including headaches, migraines, dizziness, balance challenges, post-concussion symptoms, reading difficulties, and attention deficits (ADHD). By exploring these functional areas, we also identify opportunities to enhance performance in activities such as sports, reading speed, and cognitive processes.

  • What is Vision Therapy?

    At Opto-Mization, vision therapy is a specialized, personalized program aimed at improving visual skills and abilities. It goes beyond traditional vision therapy to help improve how the eyes and brain work together, addressing visual-motor and perceptual-cognitive challenges to enhance overall visual function. It’s more than just exercises; it’s a pathway to better vision and improved daily life.

  • Do you Provide Regular Eye Exams and General Optometric Services?

    Yes, alongside vision therapy and neuro-optometry, we offer comprehensive eye exams and general optometry services. Our experienced optometrists perform thorough eye exams to evaluate overall eye health, identify any eye conditions or diseases, and prescribe corrective lenses when beneficial.

  • Who is the Ideal Candidate for Vision Therapy and Neuro-Optometry?

    Vision therapy and neuro-optometric rehabilitation can help individuals of all ages. Whether you’re struggling with visual processing issues, binocular vision disorders, amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (eye misalignment), or have sustained a brain injury, our services might be beneficial for you. Contact us to discuss if our tailored approach can meet your specific needs and goals.

  • Do I Need a Referral to See an Optometrist at Opto-Mization?

    No, you do not need a referral for an eye exam at Opto-Mization. We welcome anyone who suspects they might benefit from our services, whether you’re experiencing symptoms of visual discomfort or just want to ensure optimal visual performance. Feel free to reach out and schedule your appointment directly with us to take the first step toward understanding and improving your visual function.

  • Do You Direct Bill Insurance?

    Yes, we offer direct billing for a variety of insurance plans to make the process as seamless and hassle-free as possible for our patients. Our knowledgeable staff is well-versed in working with insurance providers, ensuring that you can maximize your benefits while minimizing out-of-pocket expenses for our services, including vision therapy and eye exams.