Episode 60

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Published on:

17th Dec 2025

Can Gaming Enhance Your Sports Performance?

What if the hours you spend gaming could actually help you perform better on the field, court, or ice, not just improve your K/D ratio?

In this episode, Dr. Daniel Laby dives into what sports vision science really says about gaming and athletic performance. While gaming won’t magically turn you into a superstar, research shows that the right kind of gaming, done the right way, can sharpen key visual and cognitive skills that matter in high-speed sports.

He breaks down what’s proven, what’s hype, and how athletes can use gaming strategically as part of a smart performance training program.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:

  • The right kind of gaming can sharpen sport-relevant visual skills like reaction speed, tracking moving objects, focusing in chaos, and seeing fine details faster.
  • Gaming is a supplement, not a replacement for practice. The benefits are real but modest and only work when paired with proper sport training.
  • Only fast-paced, competitive games played with intention matter. Casual or slow games don’t produce the same visual-cognitive benefits.
  • Used strategically, gaming is low-risk and accessible, especially in the off-season or during injury and if you’re already gaming, it’s worth doing it in a way that might help performance.

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

  • 00:36 - Scientific Evidence: Gaming Improves Vision
  • 01:16 - Benefits of Gaming for Athletes
  • 01:57 - Limitations and Considerations
  • 03:35 - Practical Tips for Using Gaming in Training
  • 04:40 - When and How to Incorporate Gaming

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About the Podcast

Sports Vision Radio
Welcome to the podcast where vision meets performance.

Hosted by Dr. Daniel Laby, one of the world’s leading Sports Vision Specialists with over 30 years of experience working with professional, Olympic, and elite athletes across the globe.

This show is designed for athletes, coaches, parents, and performance-minded professionals who want to understand how the visual system, what you see and how your brain processes it, directly impacts your ability to compete at the highest level.

Each episode dives into the science and strategy behind visual performance: from reaction time and focus control, to decision-making speed, visual processing, and beyond. Whether you’re on the field, in the gym, or in the dugout, you’ll learn practical insights and cutting-edge methods to train your eyes and brain to work together, so you can play sharper, smarter, and faster.

Because seeing clearly is just the beginning. This is about vision that wins!

About your host

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Daniel Laby

Dr. Daniel M. Laby is a pioneer in sports vision science and the author of "Eye of the Champion: Unlocking the Power of Sports Vision for Peak Performance." He has 30+ years experience with elite and Professional athletes and has worked with multiple MLB World Series teams, NBA organizations, Olympic athletes, and numerous professional sports organizations worldwide. He has 8 World Series Championships as well as several other championships. He has been featured in the Wall Sreet Journal (2x), The New York Times, Sports Illustrated as well as NBC news, Fox, and several other radio and television programs. Red Bull made a full length documentary about his work with International Football/Soccer star Trent Alexander-Arnold.