## 1 Introduction
One of the available research projects concerning the importance of visual abilities in alpine skiing presents arguments which suggest that ski helmet use does not impair vision. The obtained results indicated that ski goggles increased mean reaction time to peripheral stimuli [17]. Even though these results suggest that ski goggles increase reaction time to peripheral stimuli, the use of ski goggles is still recommended during skiing for protection against ultraviolet light and air stream. Reduced visual acuity could affect reaction times in various dangerous situations; for example, when avoiding ice patches on ski slopes [13]. However, the study by [PERSON] et al. (2011) was conducted in laboratory and these results cannot simply be transferred to situational conditions [17]. There is also research focused on the influence of protective headgear on the peripheral vision and ability to respond to visual stimuli in other sports. For example, [PERSON] et al. [18] conducted a study where the focus was on the effect of protective helmets from different sports on visual abilities and sensory performance. The results suggested an impaired ability to react to visual stimuli located in the corners of the screen, i.e., the response was slower to visual targets in the periphery when wearing a helmet. Additionally, [PERSON] et al. [19] concluded that wearing sports goggles decreased peripheral visual target detection during a peripheral vision test. [PERSON] et al. [20] observed the influence of headgear on peripheral vision reaction time and visual target detection in American football. Their findings showed that wearing only a helmet and a helmet with an eye shield decreased performance, i.e., the total hit score was lower during peripheral reaction time tests. In our recent study [21], conducted under laboratory conditions, we reported a significant negative influence on visual performance from a combination of wearing a ski helmet and ski goggles in terms of their influence on the perception of peripheral visual stimuli. However, when comparing the results of helmet users and non-users, there were no differences in the amount of visual impairment, i.e., the habit of wearing a helmet did not influence the ability to perceive visual stimuli. As already discussed in that study, the main reason for the scarce data in this research area might be the complexity of testing procedures necessary to access visual abilities. After conducting the testing procedures in the laboratory, to gain valid data and objectively identify the impact of the same protective headgear combinations in alpine skiing on the perception of visual stimuli when skiing, it is necessary to conduct suitable measurement in situational conditions directly on the ski slope. Nevertheless, it can be stated that there is a gap in the available data regarding the number of injuries that occur because of the inability to react to peripheral visual stimuli during skiing when using various forms of protective headgear. A comprehensive investigation of protective headgear use in skiing and its influence on skiers' visuomotor abilities is necessary to optimize their performance and enhance their safety. For such reasons, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of wearing the three most common combinations of protective headgear in skiing (ski cap, ski cap and sunglasses, and ski helmet and ski goggles) on the timing of visual stimuli perception and adequate response when simulating on-the-slope situations. Additionally, the aim was to determine potential differences in reaction time for helmet users and non-users. We hypothesized that in the field-testing procedure, the reaction time on the peripheral visual stimuli would be the slowest when wearing a ski helmet and ski goggles combined for both prior helmet users and non-users. Furthermore, we expected differences in results for helmet users and non-users, in such a way that the reaction time would be slower for helmet non-users when combining a ski helmet and ski goggles.