Optimizing Attentional Focus

Wulf, Gabriele; Lewthwaite, Rebecca

doi:10.1002/9781119568124.ch31

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 79 publications

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“…Consequently, IF generated worse outcomes than EF. Over the past two decades or more, myriad studies have lent support to this hypothesis and have revealed the generalizability of EF's benefits, as shown over a broad range of motor tasks (e.g., balance, dart throwing, soccer, ballet, golf, running, swimming, and jumping), populations (at various skill levels, ages, and disabilities), and performance measures (movement accuracy, movement form and movement efficiency); for reviews, see [20][21][22].…”

Section: Why Is Ef Better For Sprint Performance Than If (Ie Attentio...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The result was similar to that reported by Ille et al [18], who found that performers displayed more efficient sprint performance when focusing on exploding from the starting blocks (EF) compared with focusing on pushing quickly with their legs (IF). In addition, relevant reviews show that the EF advantage is not only embodied in sprint tasks but also robust in other sports tasks (e.g., soccer, golf, and swimming); for reviews, see [20][21][22]. Moreover, one recent meta-analysis [23] suggests an EF exceeds IF in motor performance with a small effect size (Hedges' g = 0.264).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of Attentional Focus on Sprint Performance: A Meta-Analysis

Zhang

Yue

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Sprinting is often seen in a variety of sports. Focusing one’s attention externally before sprinting has been demonstrated to boost sprint performance. The present study aimed to systematically review previous findings on the impact of external focus (EF), in comparison to internal focus (IF), on sprint performance. A literature search was conducted in five electronic databases (APA PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science). A random-effects model was used to pool Hedge’s g with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The meta-analysis included six studies with a total of 10 effect sizes and 166 participants. In general, the EF condition outperformed the IF condition in sprint performance (g = 0.279, 95% CI [0.088, 0.470], p = 0.004). The subgroup analysis, which should be viewed with caution, suggested that the benefits associated with the EF strategy were significant in low-skill sprinters (g = 0.337, 95% CI [0.032, 0.642], p = 0.030) but not significant in high-skill sprinters (g = 0.246, 95% CI [−0.042, 0.533], p = 0.094), although no significant difference was seen between these subgroups (p = 0.670). The reported gain in sprint performance due to attentional focus has practical implications for coaches and athletes, as making tiny adjustments in verbal instructions can lead to significant behavioral effects of great importance in competitive sports.

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Section: Why Is Ef Better For Sprint Performance Than If (Ie Attentio...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Attentional Focus on Sprint Performance: A Meta-Analysis

Zhang

Yue

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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“…Also, as expertise level was a variable of interest in this study, naïve participants groups (under different attentional focus) could provide more information about the interaction between distance effect (proximal and distal external focus) and expertise level on motor learning in children (with an experimental design similar to Singh & Wulf's (2020)). Nevertheless, for this case, we suggest the investigation with another motor task.…”

Section: Internal Proximal Distalmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Motor learning is a set of processes associated with practice or experience leading to relatively permanent changes in the capability for skilled movement (Schmidt et al, 2019). Several studies have identified that directing the attention consciously to the intended movement effect (external focus) enhances motor performance and learning if compared to directing the attention to body movements (internal focus) (Wulf, 2013;Wulf & Lewthwaite, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of attentional focus distance on motor learning of skilled children

GonçalvesPereira-Júnior¹

2022

EJHM

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In adults, longitudinal external focus benefitsthe motor performance of high-skilled performers. Whilelow-skilled performers benefit from a proximal external focus. Children seem to respond differently to adults regarding the effects of attentional focus on motor learning, and the cause of this difference remains unclear.The present study investigated the effects of the attentional focus distance on motor performance and learning of high-skilled children. Forty-five 8-years-old high-skilled children were divided into three groupswith different attentional focus distances (internal, proximalexternal and distal external). All participants practiced aninside-of-the-foot kick soccer task in 5 blocks of 10 trials. Motorperformance was assessed through absolute and variable errors before the practice (pre-test), immediately after the practice (post-test), and after 24-hours (retention test). As inferential analyses,we run an ANOVA two-way (3 groups x 3 times) for absolute and variable errors. For absolute error, there was aneffect in time (p< .0001), with improvement across practice and retention; also, the distal external group demonstrated lower absolute error than othergroups (p< .0001). In contrast,proximal external focus provides a lower variability inter-trials (but with a lower score)(p< .001).Our findings suggested that distal external attentional focus benefits motor performance and learning of skilled children.Practice and experience are the predominant factors in this interaction, as it happens in adults.Childhood characteristics seem not to influence this process.

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Beyond animated skeletons: How can biomechanical feedback be used to enhance sports performance?

Glazier

2021

Journal of Biomechanics

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Optimizing Attentional Focus

Cited by 5 publications

References 79 publications

Effect of Attentional Focus on Sprint Performance: A Meta-Analysis

Effect of Attentional Focus on Sprint Performance: A Meta-Analysis

Influence of attentional focus distance on motor learning of skilled children

Beyond animated skeletons: How can biomechanical feedback be used to enhance sports performance?

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