Review of recent Chinese research on field dependence-independence in high-level athletes.

A review of seven studies in China concerning field dependence-independence among 500 athletes in 10 different sports is presented. Athletes participating in closed-skill sports were more field-independent than those in open-skill sports. In closed-skill sports, high-level athletes were more field-independent than those of medium level. In open-skill sports involving direct contact, high-level athletes were more field-dependent than those of medium level. No significant relationship was found between field dependence-independence and athletes' performance in open skill sports in which no direct contact was involved.