Groundbreaking research proves light-based training enhances athletic performance by accelerating visual-motor skills

OKKULO® research with Sunderland AFC shows up to a 72% improvement in athletes’ anticipation times and an 18.8% reduction in sensory reaction times.

OKKULO®, a pioneer in vision and cognitive training through light manipulation, has released new research that highlights the transformative impact of its proprietary technology on professional athletes. Conducted with elite football players from Sunderland AFC, the study demonstrates OKKULO®’s potential to dramatically enhance reaction times, situational awareness, and overall performance during training and on the field of play.

OKKULO®’s system employs a unique range of light conditions—from blue to near-black—to recalibrate the brain’s visual processing pathways. By manipulating light exposure, the technology challenges athletes to perceive and process visual information more swiftly. Upon returning to normal lighting, players gain a sense of “extra time,” enabling faster decision-making in high-stakes moments.

The study involved 24 professional football players from Sunderland AFC’s U18 and U23 men’s teams and the women’s first team, divided into two groups: an intervention group that trained twice weekly with OKKULO®’s technology, and a control group under regular lighting. Key findings include:

• Dynamic Visual Acuity: Enhanced by 8.4%, improving players’ ability to track fast-moving objects with precision.
• Peripheral Identification: Accuracy increased by 10% and speed by 20%, allowing athletes to better monitor their surroundings.
• Sensory Reaction Time: Reduced by 18.8%, the speed of sensory processing between eye and brain.
• Recognition Time: Increased by 59.9%, facilitating quicker identification of critical game cues.
• Depth Perception: Boosted by 45.6%, essential for accurate distance and timing judgments.
• Anticipation Time: Improved by an impressive 72%, sharpening players’ ability to predict opponent movements.
• Motor Reaction Time: Increased by 36.3%, optimising physical response capabilities.

Mel O’Connor, OKKULO®’s Founder and CEO, commented, “This is not just vision training—it’s a game-changer. Our technology fundamentally reprograms how athletes see and process the world around them. Every session leaves athletes sharper, faster, and more prepared to outperform the competition. It’s about giving them the gift of ‘extra time,’ whether predicting a pass or responding to a split-second play.”

OKKULO®’s technology has captured the attention of academic institutions and major sports organisations worldwide, with new research partnerships and expansion plans underway, particularly in the U.S. The company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of cognitive and performance training is reinforced by its track record of success, solidifying OKKULO® as an industry leader in sports performance innovation. This broad recognition from global academia and sports entities highlights OKKULO®’s role at the forefront of transforming athletic training and human potential.

With 50% of our brain’s activity dedicated to vision, OKKULO® optimises neural pathways between the eye and brain, driving breakthroughs in both visual and motor efficiency that redefine human performance. Looking beyond sports, OKKULO® aims to extend its transformative impact into everyday life, enhancing cognitive and mental health and unlocking human potential in unprecedented ways.