False-performance feedback does not affect punching forces and pacing of elite boxers

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Motor Learning
• Sports Psychology

Background:

• Augmented feedback (positive or negative) is known to influence motor learning and performance.
• Most studies involve untrained individuals performing novel tasks, leaving the effects on elite athletes with familiar tasks unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of false-positive, false-negative, and false-neutral feedback on punching performance in elite amateur boxers.
• To assess the effects on punching force, pacing, and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE).

Main Methods:

• Fifteen elite amateur male boxers participated in a simulated boxing bout over four days.
• Day 1: Familiarization without feedback. Days 2-4: Random delivery of false-positive, false-negative, or false-neutral feedback between rounds.
• Measurements included punching force (N) and pacing (force over time), and RPE.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant or practically meaningful differences were found in punching force, pacing, or RPE across the different feedback conditions (P > 0.05; effect size ≤ 2%).

Conclusions:

• False performance feedback did not significantly alter punching outcomes in elite boxers.
• Potential explanations include the athletes' elite status, the study's focus on performance over learning, or a generally weaker effect of false feedback than previously assumed.