Reduce Depth Perception Error by Viewing 3D Images Compared to 2D Images

Background: Depth perception is a visual component that allows individuals to judge accurately the distance of objects and it is involved in many of the motor skills involved in locating, hitting and grasping to objects. Therefore, evaluating interventions to improve depth perception can be effective in increasing motor skills efficiency.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of viewing 2D and 3D images on the depth perception of female athletes’ students.
Methods: The participants were 30 female students of the Faculty of Physical Education of the University of Tehran (with an average age of 21±2 years) who participated in the research in an accessible way. The instrument used was the B122 Depth Electrical Testing Device. First, all participants were given a pre-test of depth perception (5 trials). Then the participants were randomly divided into 3 groups of 10 persons (control group, two-dimensional image group, and three-dimensional image group). After intervention, post-test of depth perception was performed.
Results: Results showed that the difference between the post-test scores of depth perception at the error level of 0.05 was significant (P = 0.012). Also, the three-dimensional image group showed less error in the depth perception test than the two-dimensional image group (P = 0.003).
Conclusions: Based on the findings of this study, 3D displays can be used as a tool to facilitate the educational process of sports disciplines that require high depth perception.