Race Walkers Quicken Their Pace by Tuning in, Not Stepping Out

Abstract

This study examined the effects of attentional focus on race walking performance. Sixteen experienced race walkers, eight males and eight females, were randomly assigned to walk four separate half-mile segments on a quarter-mile track under specific sets of instructions. Two sets of instructions were externally oriented and two were internally oriented. The internally oriented instructions included a set asking the subjects to focus on cadence (the number of steps taken in a designated period of time) and a set asking them to focus on stride length (the distance covered in a single step). The externally oriented instructions asked subjects to use a dissociative strategy. Although no overall difference was found between internal and external focus, results indicated that the focus on cadence was superior to both the external focus, p<.05, and a focus on stride length, p<.05. No significant differences between the stride length focus and the external focus were found. These results are discussed in terms of the importance of using an internal focus that is beneficial.

Yoga and distractibility

“…The external focus group performed and retained their improvement better than the internal focus group. Similar results have been shown in other studies (Clingman and Hilliard, 1990;Gill and Strom, 1985;Fillingim and Fine, 1986;Radlo et al, 2002;Shea and Wulf, 1999;Wulf et al, 2003). Fillingim and Fine (1986) reported that externally focused individuals experienced less symptomalogy than internally focused individuals or controls in an exercise setting.…”

“…Two means of operationally defining external focus are: listening to a target word throughout performance (Fillingim and Fine, 1986) or directing one's attention to the outcome of the action . Research has shown different performance related outcomes between internal and external focus techniques (Clingman and Hilliard, 1990;Gill and Strom, 1985;Fillingim and Fine, 1987;Radlo et al, 2002;Shea and Wulf, 1999;Wulf et al, 1999Wulf et al, , 2003.…”

Cognitive orientations in marathon running and "hitting the wall".

“…However, if association only includes attending to physical symptoms, then thinking about split times would be classed as dissociative, in that it is a distraction from discomfort. Similarly in the study of Clingman and Hilliard, 8 the associative strategies of race walkers concerned technique, with walkers focusing on either stride length or cadence. Since the concentration on technique distracts from the pain of exertion, this might also be considered a dissociative strategy.…”

“…The scale was represented by the wording "no time at all" (0), "about half the time" (4), and "all the time" (8). Runners were clearly instructed to ensure that their four ratings added up to 8 to represent all of the race period.…”

Thinking and Action: A Cognitive Perspective on Self-Regulation during Endurance Performance

“…An endurance athlete's focus of attention can have a significant effect on effort perception, pace-regulation, and physiological indices of performance (Brick et al, 2014 ). Focusing on self-regulatory cognitions such as technique or cadence/rhythm, for example, has been shown to optimize pacing without necessarily increasing the effort perceived during endurance running (e.g., Donohue et al, 2001 ), race-walking (e.g., Clingman and Hilliard, 1990 ), rowing (e.g., Connolly and Janelle, 2003 ), and swimming (e.g., Couture et al, 1999 ) tasks. Similarly, focusing on relaxing results in an improved movement economy (i.e., reduced oxygen cost) during endurance activity (e.g., Caird et al, 1999 ).…”