Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026
Intracortical Inhibition Within the Primary Motor Cortex Can Be Modulated by Changing the Focus of Attention
Published on: September 11, 2017
Reevaluating attentional focus on motor performance according to expertise: A stratified network meta-analysis.
Fan Peng1, Zhonghe Yang1, Yuying Su1
1School of Strength and Conditioning Training, Beijing Sports University, Haidian, Beijing, 100084, China; Force-velocity Laboratory, Beijing Sport University, Haidian, Beijing, 100084, China; The Ministry of Education Engineering Research Center for Key Technologies and Integrated Systems in Physical Training Equipment, Haidian, Beijing, 100084, China.
Reclassifying attentional focus strategies like distal external focus (DEF) and holistic focus (HF) impacts motor performance findings. Expertise level significantly influences which focus strategy, such as DEF or HF, is most beneficial.
Area of Science:
- Motor Control and Learning
- Cognitive Psychology
- Sports Science
Background:
- Attentional focus is a key factor in motor performance enhancement.
- Previous research shows inconsistent results, potentially due to varied definitions and participant expertise.
- A systematic re-evaluation is needed to clarify the effects of different attentional focus strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To audit, reclassify, and compare attentional focus strategies for motor performance using network meta-analysis.
- To investigate the influence of participant expertise on the effectiveness of different attentional focus strategies.
- To provide a more accurate understanding of how attentional focus impacts motor skill acquisition and execution.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a systematic literature search across PubMed, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus.
- Included experimental studies comparing internal focus (IF), external focus (EF), proximal external focus (PEF), distal external focus (DEF), and holistic focus (HF).
- Audited and reclassified attentional focus instructions, and categorized participant expertise into tiers (Tier).
Main Results:
- Eighty-seven studies were included, with 78 requiring reclassification of attentional focus.
- After reclassification, distal external focus (DEF) and holistic focus (HF) showed comparable benefits over control conditions.
- Expertise level (Tier) modified the effectiveness, with DEF favored in lower tiers and HF in higher tiers; internal focus (IF) was detrimental in higher tiers.
Conclusions:
- The classification and operationalization of attentional focus significantly influence meta-analytic findings on motor performance.
- Participant expertise is a critical moderator, altering the optimal attentional focus strategy.
- Future research should carefully consider attentional focus definitions and participant expertise to yield more consistent results.
More Related Videos
06:46Investigating the Deployment of Visual Attention Before Accurate and Averaging Saccades via Eye Tracking and Assessment of Visual Sensitivity
Published on: March 18, 2019
09:37Measurement of Neurophysiological Signals of Ignoring and Attending Processes in Attention Control
Published on: July 5, 2015