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Attentional focusing instructions and force production.
1Department of Sport and Physical Activity, Edge Hill University Ormskirk, Lancashire, UK.
Frontiers in Psychology
|August 12, 2011
Summary
External focus instructions enhance force production tasks, improving performance and efficiency. This approach benefits maximal, accurate, and prolonged force output by directing attention away from movements.
Area of Science:
- Sport Science
- Motor Control
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Attentional focusing instructions impact skill acquisition and performance.
- Previous research suggests external focus is more beneficial than internal focus for motor tasks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of attentional focusing instructions on force production tasks.
- To investigate whether external focus instructions enhance force production compared to internal focus.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing research on attentional focus in motor performance.
- Analysis of studies applying attentional instructions to force production tasks.
Main Results:
- Force production tasks are sensitive to verbal instructions.
- External focus instructions (outcome-oriented) are more beneficial than internal focus instructions (movement-oriented).
- Benefits observed for maximal, accurate, and sustained force production.
Conclusions:
- External focus promotes greater movement efficiency, aligning with energy conservation principles.
- Further research is needed to explore psychological and physiological factors influencing force production with attentional focus.
