The effect of internal and external focus of attention on game performance in tennis

Zetou, Eleni; Vernadakis, Nikolaos

doi:10.5507/ag.2016.021

Cited by 17 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 53 publications

(42 reference statements)

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“…This suggests that visual information will be process/treated first. Since this strategy is more useful for beginner due the reduced attention compared with a high level athlete [ 18 , 54 , 55 ], we propose that the colour condition aided in performance strategy similar to that proposed above which impacted towards our observed performance gains. Furthermore, in relation to Fajen and Matthis [ 31 ] action-scaled affordances approach, we speculate that this increase in performance and locomotor action, lead to the direct perception of a greater number of affordances compared to the internal FOA group.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Enhancing motor learning of young soccer players through preventing an internal focus of attention: The effect of shoes colour

et al. 2018

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The purpose of this research was to assess how the motor learning skills in 7-years old soccer players can be improved by preventing an internal focus of attention via the use coloured shoes. We painted the classic black soccer shoes in six areas corresponding to six regions of the foot with which it is possible to interact with the ball. Thirty-four 7-years-old soccer players were randomized to two groups (Coloured n = 17 and Black, n = 17) to perform four basic football manoeuvres/tasks: reception (RECP), passing (PASS), ball management (MAGT), and shooting (SHOT). We found highly significant differences (P<0.001) in all four performance tests: mean(sd) RECP: 0.82(0.07) vs. 0.45(0.12); PASS: 0.85(0.07) vs. 0.47(0.09); MAGT: 0.91(0.09); SHOT: 1.00(1.00) vs. 0.44(0.16). Colored shoes appear to draw children’s attention away from body centered cues without explicit verbal communications. We propose that this cognitive adaptation enhanced the technical gesture by preventing the negative processes associated with action constraining when adopting an internal focus attention (perhaps by allowing the foot to adapt to surfaces and movements more naturally than conditions that promote a focus on the body movement). Consequently, this type of coloured footwear could be used during childhood to allow children to enhance the performance of basic football exercises through preventing action constraining and promoting intuitive (non-body centered) action knowledge.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Enhancing motor learning of young soccer players through preventing an internal focus of attention: The effect of shoes colour

et al. 2018

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“…Presumed differences in information processing capabilities or ability to maintain a certain attentional focus, relative to young adults, were often used as the rationale for the inclusion of different age groups. Children were asked to perform motor tasks such as riding a Pedalo (Flôres et al, 2015), throwing balls at a target (e.g., Saemi et al, 2013), or playing tennis (Tsetseli et al, 2016). Learning benefits of an EF were found in several studies (e.g., Hadler et al, 2014; Tsetseli et al, 2016), while other researchers (Agar et al, 2016; Emanuel et al, 2008) found no learning differences between groups of children who received EF or IF instructions.…”

Section: Potential Moderatorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Children were asked to perform motor tasks such as riding a Pedalo (Flôres et al, 2015), throwing balls at a target (e.g., Saemi et al, 2013), or playing tennis (Tsetseli et al, 2016). Learning benefits of an EF were found in several studies (e.g., Hadler et al, 2014; Tsetseli et al, 2016), while other researchers (Agar et al, 2016; Emanuel et al, 2008) found no learning differences between groups of children who received EF or IF instructions. Based on null effects, some of those authors have argued that children may not benefit from an EF, or even that an IF might be more effective.…”

Section: Potential Moderatorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Superiority of external attentional focus for motor performance and learning: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Chua

Díaz²,

Lewthwaite³

et al. 2021

Psychological Bulletin

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Considerable literature on the role of attentional focus in motor performance and learning has accumulated for over two decades. We report the results of comprehensive meta-analyses that address the impact of an external focus (EF, on intended movement effects) versus internal focus (IF, on movements of body parts) of attention on the performance and learning of motor skills. Values of effect sizes (ES) from 73 studies with 1,824 participants and 40 studies with 1,274 participants were used for examining the effects of EF versus IF on behavioral outcomes of motor performance and learning (separately for retention and transfer phases) respectively. The EF condition was more effective than the IF condition for performance, Hedges’ g value = 0.264 (95% CI [0.217, 0.310]), retention learning, Hedges’ g value = 0.583 (95% CI [0.425, 0.741]), and transfer learning, Hedges’ g value = 0.584 (95% CI [0.325, 0.842]). Multivariable metaregression analyses on behavioral measures further indicated that neither age group, health status, or skill level, nor their two-way interactions, moderated the ES differences between EF and IF in performance, retention, and transfer models (all p > .100). A secondary analysis on 12 studies with 216 participants that examined the effects of EF versus IF on electromyographic outcomes of motor performance also indicated that EF was associated with more efficient neuromuscular processing, Hedges’ g value = 0.833 (95% CI [0.453, 1.213]). From nine studies with 272 participants, performance measured by behavioral outcomes was found to be more effective when a more distal, rather than proximal, EF was used, Hedges’ g value = 0.224 (95% CI [0.019, 0.429]). Overall, the meta-analytic results are consistent with prior narrative reviews and indicate that an external focus is superior to an internal focus whether considering tests of motor performance or learning, and regardless of age, health condition, and level of skill expertise.

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“…However, the benefit of an external focus has been shown in both closed and open skills. 10,34,63,64 This effect also extends across early and late stages of learning. Therefore, clinicians should evaluate the task goal, establish an optimal challenge level, consider patient preferences regarding the appropriate instructions, and create an external focus in relation to the patient's action capability within the functional task environment.…”

Section: Stages Of Learningmentioning

confidence: 83%

Effective Attentional Focus Strategies after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Commentary

Singh

Gokeler

Benjaminse

2021

International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy

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Individuals after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) have a high rate of reinjury upon return to competitive sports. Deficits in motor control may influence reinjury risk and can be addressed during rehabilitation with motor learning strategies. When instructing patients in performing motor tasks after ACLR, an external focus of attention directed to the intended movement effect has been shown to be more effective in reducing reinjury risk than an internal focus of attention on body movements. While this concept is mostly agreed upon, recent literature has made it clear that the interpretation and implementation of an external focus of attention within ACLR rehabilitation needs to be better described. The purpose of this commentary is to provide a clinical framework for the application of attentional focus strategies and guide clinicians towards effectively utilizing an external focus of attention in rehabilitation after ACLR.

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The effect of internal and external focus of attention on game performance in tennis

Cited by 17 publications

References 53 publications

Enhancing motor learning of young soccer players through preventing an internal focus of attention: The effect of shoes colour

Enhancing motor learning of young soccer players through preventing an internal focus of attention: The effect of shoes colour

Superiority of external attentional focus for motor performance and learning: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Effective Attentional Focus Strategies after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Commentary

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