Attentional Focus Effects on Lower-Limb Muscular Strength in Athletes: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Pompa, D, Carson, HJ, Beato, M, di Fronso, S, and Bertollo, M. Attentional focus effects on lower-limb muscular strength in athletes: A systematic review. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2023—Evidence links an athlete's focus of attention to enhancing strength performance. However, additional research is needed to investigate the applicability of studies beyond the tasks and population currently examined. Therefore, we aimed to systematically review studies concerning attentional focus effects on strength characteristics on lower-limb tasks in athletes. Scopus, Web of Science, and EBSCO databases were searched using PRISMA PERSIST guidelines and keywords related to the focus of attention, force production processes, and athletes. Subjects were categorized: world class (tier 5); elite (tier 4); highly trained (tier 3); trained/developmental (tier 2); nonathletes (tiers 1–0); and mixed (different levels). Fifteen of 296 studies met the inclusion criteria. Included studies investigated the focus of attention effects on performance (n = 6), between skill levels (n = 2), and for learning (n = 5), with respect to subject preference (n = 1); one study did not state the aim. Studies achieved an average risk of bias score of “excellent”; however, findings suffered in the assessment of certainty. Only 2 studies reported an advantage for one type of attentional focus (external focus) across conditions (g = 0.13–0.42) with tier 2 and mixed tier athletes. Research does not address the needs of elite athletes, and there is limited evidence on each type of strength characteristics and muscle action. There is also a need to incorporate methodological steps to promote task-relevant instructions. Research should focus on contextualized information within professional practice to offer stronger translational implications for athletes and coaches.

Do the effects last? A comparison between internal and external focus of attention instructions on golf putting accuracy over multiple days

“…Performance studies often employ within-subject designs, where all participants perform the task under different focus conditions in a counterbalanced manner over a short period, generally 1 or 2 days ( Abdollahipour et al, 2015 ; Porter, Anton & Wu, 2012 ; Wulf et al, 2007 ). While studies have generally shown that EF enhances motor performance ( Wulf et al, 2007 ; Zachry et al, 2005 ) and learning ( Chiviacowsky, Wulf & Ávila, 2013 ; Shea & Wulf, 1999 ; Wulf & McNevin, 2003 ; Zachry et al, 2005 ), as reviewed by Chua et al (2021) and Wulf (2013) , recent inquiries have cast doubt on the extent of these effects ( e.g ., Montero, 2010 ; Montero, Toner & Moran, 2018 ; Toner & Moran, 2015 ; Wang et al, 2021 ; for a review see: Nicklas et al, 2022 , and Pompa et al, 2024 in athletes). Collins, Carson & Toner (2016) argued for more ecologically valid studies and rigorous methodological approaches in examining the effects of attentional focus.…”