Attention and athletic performance: A pilot study from a person-environment-occupation-performance model perspective.

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Occupational Therapy
• Cognitive Psychology

Background:

• Athletic performance, particularly in sports requiring rapid decision-making like wheelchair basketball, relies heavily on attention.
• The Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model offers a framework for understanding and addressing factors influencing performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and evaluate a structured attention training intervention for wheelchair basketball players.
• To enhance attentional skills and overall athletic performance using the PEOP model.

Main Methods:

• A one-group pre-post-test design was employed with eight professional wheelchair basketball athletes.
• The intervention involved 10 sessions integrating cognitive strategies and simulated basketball activities, guided by PEOP principles.
• Attention skills were assessed using a customized performance task developed by occupational therapists and the coach.

Main Results:

• Significant reductions in attentional errors were observed.
• Improvements in shot accuracy and task completion times were noted.
• Functional gains in cognitive performance under game-like conditions were demonstrated.

Conclusions:

• The PEOP-informed attention training program is feasible and effective for athletes with physical disabilities.
• Occupational therapy can enhance athletic development by integrating cognitive skill training into sport-specific activities.