Acute and Long-Term Effects of Attentional Focus Strategies on Muscular Strength: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

This review aimed to perform a meta-analysis examining the following: (a) acute effects of adopting an internal focus vs. external focus of attention on muscular strength; and (b) long-term effects of adopting an internal focus vs. external focus of attention during resistance training on gains in muscular strength. We searched through five databases to find eligible studies. Random-effects meta-analyses of standardized mean differences were conducted to analyze the data. Ten studies were included. In the meta-analysis for the acute effects, there was a significant positive effect of external focus on muscular strength (standardized mean difference: 0.34; 95% confidence interval: 0.22, 0.46). In the meta-analysis for the long-term effects, there was no significant difference between training with an internal focus and external focus on muscular strength gains (standardized mean difference: 0.32; 95% confidence interval: –0.08, 0.73). In the subgroup analysis for lower-body exercises, we found a significant positive effect of training with an external focus on muscular strength gains (standardized mean difference: 0.47; 95% confidence interval: 0.07, 0.87). In summary, our findings indicate an acute increase in muscular strength when utilizing an external focus of attention. When applied over the long-term, using an external focus of attention may also enhance resistance training-induced gains in lower-body muscular strength.

Effects of Attentional Focus on Muscular Endurance: A Meta-Analysis

“…In one study, training with an external focus of attention increased 1RM strength in the squat and deadlift more than training with an internal focus of attention (13% vs. 9%) [ 31 ]. This finding aligns with the data reported in a recent meta-analysis on the topic [ 32 ]. However, the benefits of external focus should not be generalized to muscular hypertrophy, as one study reported that increases in elbow flexor thickness favoured training with an internal focus of attention [ 33 ].…”

The Acute Effects of Normobaric Hypoxia on Strength, Muscular Endurance and Cognitive Function: Influence of Dose and Sex

“…The Flanker task which was used in the current study measures executive function that enable an individual to focus attention [ 36 ]. Since attentional focus is already reported to moderate acute muscle performance [ 32 , 33 ], decrements in bench press endurance performance during high and moderate hypoxia may be associated with equivalent impairment in cognitive function.…”

“…As the severity of hypoxia increases, the level of deoxygenation increases. Moreover, two recent meta-analyses reported that attention, a parameter of complex cognitive processes, moderates acute muscular endurance [ 32 ] and strength [ 33 ] performance. However, currently there are no studies that have investigated CF before and after resistance exercise during hypoxia.…”

A Pilot Study on Attentional Focus in Prescribing Physical Exercise in Outpatients with Obesity

“…As for upper- and lower-body muscular strength, both the HST and the FRSTS results observed in the EF group highlighted significant improvements after the 6-week training intervention. There is evidence that a short-term period (i.e., six weeks) [ 50 ] of an external cue intervention is sufficient to provide positive effects on maximal handgrip strength, isometric mid-high pull, squat and deadlift tests as compared to an intervention with an internal focus [ 51 , 52 , 53 ]. With this in mind, a resistance training program could be beneficial when dealing with obesity because when muscular strength is normalized to body mass, obese patients are weaker than their normal-weight counterparts.…”