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Neuromuscular Mechanisms Underlying Changes in Force Production during an Attentional Focus Task
Shawn Wiseman1, Shahab Alizadeh1, Israel Halperin2,3
1School of Human Kinetics and Recreation, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL A1C 5S7, Canada.
Brain Sciences
|January 16, 2020
Summary
External focus cues enhance maximal voluntary force output in elbow flexors by reducing muscle co-activation. This study investigated attentional focus effects on force production and physiological mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Neuroscience
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Attentional focus is crucial for motor performance.
- External focus cues are often linked to improved force production compared to internal focus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of external versus internal attentional focus cues on maximal voluntary force output of elbow flexors.
- To explore the underlying physiological mechanisms, including muscle co-activation and corticospinal excitability.
Main Methods:
- Eleven males performed maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) under randomized external and internal focus conditions.
- Corticospinal excitability (CSE) was measured using transcranial magnetic, transmastoid, and Erb's point stimulations.
- Muscle co-activation and force output were recorded during MVCs.
Main Results:
- Force output was significantly lower under internal focus (282.4 N) compared to external focus (310.7 N).
- Muscle co-activation was significantly greater under internal focus (26.3%) versus external focus (21.5%).
- No significant changes in corticospinal excitability were observed; however, force was lower during stimulation sessions.
Conclusions:
- External attentional focus enhances maximal voluntary force output, likely by reducing antagonistic muscle co-activation.
- Corticospinal stimulation may interfere with attentional focus and potentially confound results related to force production and attention.
