Predictive fixations to target bounces in an interception task

Predictive control enables humans to anticipate future events by combining sensory feedback with internal models. In interception tasks, such mechanisms could allow the visual system to estimate future target positions, supporting timely and accurate motor responses. Here, we investigated predictive gaze behavior in a visuomotor task where participants used a joystick to intercept a moving target that rebounded within a circular arena. Eye movements were classified into fixations, smooth pursuit, and saccades using a velocity-based method. The arena's geometry constrained rebound angles and facilitated standardized trajectory analysis. Participants consistently deployed fixations aligned with the target's anticipated postrebound path, as confirmed by fixations that were closer to future than to current target positions. Moreover, saccade and fixation onsets were time-locked to the rebound event, reflecting anticipatory adjustments based on the statistical regularities of the task. Gaze alignment was modulated by the target's entry angle and velocity: steeper entries and higher speeds compressed fixation timing but increased spatial variability. Visual masking of the target disrupted predictive gaze, highlighting the critical role of target visibility in guiding anticipatory behavior. These findings demonstrate the crucial role of predictive fixations in visuomotor coordination, offering a broader understanding of anticipatory behaviors and their applications. Our task design offers a controlled platform to study anticipatory gaze strategies, with potential applications for clinical diagnostics, skill training, and human-computer interaction.<b>NEW & NOTEWORTHY</b> This study builds on previous research by demonstrating that predictive fixations align with future target trajectories during a dynamic interception task. Using a threshold-based classification of eye movements, it quantifies anticipatory gaze behavior before and after target rebounds. The findings show that entry and exit angles, target speed, and visual masking systematically influence predictive fixations. Together, these results underscore the critical role of predictive mechanisms in visuomotor control, particularly in adapting gaze behavior to dynamic and uncertain environments.