Catching and Spatially Locating a Ball in Flight: Variables Underlying Their Development

Two experiments assessed relative contributions of stereo-acuity, simple reaction time, chronological age, and experience in ball sports to the development of catching as measured by actually catching a ball and a spatial matching task. The spatial matching task was designed to tap underlying perceptual requirements in catching by reducing motor requirements of the task. In Exp. 1 the contribution of each factor was assessed in boys aged 8 to 13 yr. as well as adults. Exp. II replicated certain age groups from Exp. I and also addressed the question of sex differences in catching a ball and spatial matching of location. Both experiments indicated that age and to a lesser extent ball-sport experience, did influence catching a ball, as well as spatial matching performance. Stereoacuity and reaction time showed little influence on catching for either boys or girls. Sex-related differences were routinely found at all ages for both catching a ball and spatial matching.