Directing attention externally enhances agility performance: A qualitative and quantitative analysis of the efficacy of using verbal instructions to focus attention

Frontiers in Psychology

Volumn 1, Issue NOV, 2010, Pages

  Porter, Jared M ^a   Nolan, Russell P ^a   Ostrowski, Erik J ^a   Wulf, Gabriele ^b  

^a SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY   (United States)

^b UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA   (United States)

Author keywords

Directions; Practice; Skill assessment

Indexed keywords

EID: 84863697018     PISSN: None     EISSN: 16641078     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2010.00216     Document Type: Article

References (33)

1. Al-Abood, S. A., Bennett, S. J., Hernandez, F. M., Ashford, D., and Davids, K. (2002). Effects of verbal instructions and image size on visual search strategies in basketball free throw shooting. J. Sports Sci. 20, 271-278.
2. Beilock, S. L., Carr, T. H., MacMahon, C., and Starkes, J. L. (2002). When paying attention becomes counterproductive: impact of divided verses skilled-focused attention on novice and experienced performance of sensoriomotor skills. J. Exp. Psychol. Appl. 8, 6-16.
3. Bell, J. J., and Hardy, J. (2009). Effects of attentional focus on skilled performance in golf. J. Appl. Sport. Psychol. 21, 163-177.
4. Bennett, S. (2008). Testing and evaluation; protocols and use, part 1. Strength Cond. J. 30, 39-41.
5. Castandeda, B., and Gray, R. (2007). Effects of focus of attention on baseball batting performance in players of differing skill levels. J. Sport Exerc. Psychol. 29, 60-77.
6. Fitts, P. M., and Posner, M. I. (1967). Human Performance. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.
7. Gabbett, T. J. (2006). Skill-based conditioning games as an alternative to traditional conditioning for rugby league players. J. Strength Cond. Res. 20, 309-315.
8. Gabbett, T. J., Kelly, J. N., and Sheppard, J. M. (2008). Speed, change of direction speed, and reactive agility of rugby league players. J. Strength Cond. Res. 22, 174-181.
9. Gentile, A. M. (1972). A working model of skill acquisition with application to teaching. Quest 17, 3-17.
10. Gentile, A. M. (2000). "Skill acquisition: action, movement, and neuromotor processes," in Movement Science: Foundations for Physical Therapy, 2nd Edn, eds J. H. Carr and R. B. Shepherd (Rockville, MD: Aspen), 111-187.
11. Gray, R. (2004). Attending to the execution of a complex sensorimotor skill: expertise differences, choking and slumps. J. Exp. Psychol. Appl. 10, 42-54.
12. Magill, R. A. (2007). Motor Learning and Control: Concepts and Applications, 8th Edn. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
13. Marchant, D. C., Greig, M., and Scott, C. (2009). Attentional focusing instructions influence force production and muscular activity during isokinetic elbow flexions. J. Strength Cond. Res. 23, 2358-2366.
14. McNevin, N. H., and Wulf, G. (2002). Attentional focus on supra-postural tasks affects postural control. Hum. Mov. Sci. 21, 187-202.
15. Lawrence, G. P., Gottwald, V. M., Hardy, J., and Khan, M.A. (in press). Internal and external focus of attention in a novice form sport. Res. Q. Exerc. Sport.
16. Poolton, J. M., Maxwell, J. P., Masters, R. S. W., and Van der Kamp, J. (2007). "Moving with an external focus: autonomic or simply less demanding?" in Wulf on Attentional Focus and Motor Learning [Target article], eds E.-J. Hossner and N. Wenderoth. E-Journal Bewegung und Training 1, 43-44. Available at http://www.ejournal-but.de
17. Porter, J. M., Ostrowski, E., Nolan, R., and Wu, F. W. (2010). Standing long-jump performance is enhanced when using an external focus of attention. J. Strength Cond. Res. 24, 1746-1750.
18. Porter, J. M., Wu, W. F. W., and Partridge, J. A. (2010). Focus of attention and verbal instructions: strategies of elite track and field coaches and athletes. Sport Sci. Rev. 19, 199-211.
19. Raab, M. (2007). "On the value of the attentional focus concept: elaborate and specify!" in Wulf on Attentional Focus and Motor Learning [Target article], eds E.-J. Hossner and N. Wenderoth. E-Journal Bewegung undTraining 1, 45-46. Available at http://www.ejournal-but.de
20. Sayers, A., Sayers, B. E., and Binkley, H. (2008). Preseason fitness testing in national collegiate athletic association. Strength Cond. J. 30, 70-75.
21. Schücker, L., Hagemann, N., Strauss, B., and Völker, K. (2009). The effect of attentional focus on running economy. J. Sports Sci. 27, 1241-1248.
22. Spaniol, F. J. (2009). Baseball athletic test: a baseball-specific test battery. Strength Cond. J. 31, 26-29.
23. Shea, C. H., and Wulf, G. (1999). Enhancing motor learning through external-focus instructions and feedback. Hum. Mov. Sci. 18, 553-571.
24. Vance, J., Wulf, G., Töllner, T., McNevin, N. H., and Mercer, J. (2004). EMG activity as a function of the performer's focus of attention. J. Mot. Behav. 36, 450-459.
25. Webb, P., and Lander, J. (1983). An economical fitness testing battery for high school and college rugby teams. Sports Coach 7, 44-46.
26. Wulf, G. (2007). "Attentional focus and motor learning: a review of 10 years of research," in Gabriele Wulf on Attentional Focus and Motor Learning [Target article], eds E.-J. Hossner and N. Wenderoth. E-Journal Bewegung und Training 1, 4-14. Available at http://www.ejournal-but.de
27. Wulf, G., Höß, M., and Prinz, W. (1998). Instructions for motor learning: differential effects of internal versus external focus of attention. J. Mot. Behav. 30, 169-179.
28. Wulf, G., McConnel, N., Gärtner, M., and Schwarz, A. (2002). Enhancing the learning of sport skills through external-focus feedback. J. Mot. Behav. 34, 171-182.
29. Wulf, G., McNevin, N. H., and Shea, C. H. (2001). The automaticity of complex motor skill learning as a function of attentional focus. Q. J. Exp. Psychol. 54A, 1143-1154.
30. Wulf, G., and Su, J. (2007). An external focus of attention enhances golf shot accuracy in beginners and experts. Res. Q. Exerc. Sport 78, 384-389.
31. Wulf, G., Zachry, T., Granados, C., and Dufek, J. S. (2007). Increases in jump-and-reach height through an external focus of attention. Int. J. Sports Sci. Coach. 2, 275-284.
32. Young, W., and Farrow, D. (2006). A review of agility, practical applications for strength and conditioning. Strength Cond. J. 28, 24-29.
33. Zachry, T., Wulf, G., Mercer, J., and Bezodis, N. (2005). Increased movement accuracy and reduced EMG activity as the result of adopting an external focus of attention. Brain Res. Bull. 67, 304-309.