LAUSR

Objectives: Visual attention is essential in sport performance, especially in fast paced team sports. Different game situations demand simultaneous attention to multiple, spatially separated objects/processes. But up till now, there is still a lack of appropriate training programs to optimize the athletes' attention‐window. Design and method: Two intervention studies were implemented to examine the change of the attention‐window's size of semi‐professional team athletes and individual athletes through training in the lab (Study 1) and field (Study 2). Results: The results of both studies demonstrate a positive effect of computer‐based cognitive training in the lab and team training in the field on the expansion of athletes' attention‐window. Athletes showed an equal improvement of attentional performance caused by training in the lab and field. Conclusions: The findings provide important insights for training measures/programs and basic knowledge on general cognition and attentional research. HighlightsTwo studies investigate the change of athletes' attention‐window through training.Attentional training in the lab and field influences subjects' attention‐window.The attention‐window shows an ellipsoid shape with an elongated horizontal axis.Findings provide important insights in training measures.