The role of attention in one-handed catching

The present study investigated the contribution of attention to one-handed catching success. A group of skilled (n = 8) and less skilled (n = 9) male subjects were compared in their ability to process secondary task information while executing a primary one-handed catching task. On 40% of the trials, a secondary visual stimulus (SVS) was presented in the peripheral visual field at predetermined times during the flight of the ball. On these trials, the subject was required to complete the one-handed catch and immediately throw the ball at a stationary target. Less skilled subjects made significantly more catching errors under both normal viewing and dual-task processing conditions. The differences were due to errors of positioning rather than grasping. Positioning of the hand appears to require visual attention regardless of skill level, as both skill groups experienced increased difficulty processing secondary task information as the ball approached the catching hand.