Hanwen Liu, Scott Arnett, Dano Tolusso, Kaylee Woodard
{"title":"The effects of attentional focus instructions on approach jump performance","authors":"Hanwen Liu, Scott Arnett, Dano Tolusso, Kaylee Woodard","doi":"10.1177/17479541241270392","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"IntroductionAttentional focus has been shown to significantly influence motor learning and performance, with external focus instructions enhancing performance compared to internal focus instructions. Research has also demonstrated that novice performance is improved when instructed to focus on skill execution processes rather than outcomes. However, this effect remains untested in complex jumping skills crucial to numerous sports.PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the effect of internally and externally directed process and outcome focus instructions on approach jump height and approach speed in novice participants.MethodsTwelve individuals aged 18 to 22 participated across three sessions: Familiarization, Test Session 1, and Test Session 2. During the test sessions, participants executed approach jumps in various conditions, each emphasizing specific cues: External Focus-Outcome, Internal Focus-Outcome, External Focus-Process, and Internal Focus-Process. Jump-and-Reach Height, Estimated Jump Height by Flight Time, and Approach Speed were assessed through 2 × 2 repeated measures ANOVAs.ResultsExternal focus and outcome conditions led to the highest jump-and-reach height ( p < .05). Process conditions yielded faster approach speed compared to outcome conditions ( p < .001), irrespective of internal or external focus direction. Estimated jump height by flight time was similar across all conditions.ConclusionsThe study suggests that benefits of external focus and process instructions for novices may apply only to certain performance variables in complex motor skills.Practical ApplicationsPractitioners can optimize novices’ performance using various process- and outcome-based instructions. External, outcome-based cues enhance overall task performance, while process-based cues may improve specific technical components.","PeriodicalId":47767,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5000,"publicationDate":"2024-08-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching","FirstCategoryId":"95","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541241270392","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"教育学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"HOSPITALITY, LEISURE, SPORT & TOURISM","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
IntroductionAttentional focus has been shown to significantly influence motor learning and performance, with external focus instructions enhancing performance compared to internal focus instructions. Research has also demonstrated that novice performance is improved when instructed to focus on skill execution processes rather than outcomes. However, this effect remains untested in complex jumping skills crucial to numerous sports.PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the effect of internally and externally directed process and outcome focus instructions on approach jump height and approach speed in novice participants.MethodsTwelve individuals aged 18 to 22 participated across three sessions: Familiarization, Test Session 1, and Test Session 2. During the test sessions, participants executed approach jumps in various conditions, each emphasizing specific cues: External Focus-Outcome, Internal Focus-Outcome, External Focus-Process, and Internal Focus-Process. Jump-and-Reach Height, Estimated Jump Height by Flight Time, and Approach Speed were assessed through 2 × 2 repeated measures ANOVAs.ResultsExternal focus and outcome conditions led to the highest jump-and-reach height ( p < .05). Process conditions yielded faster approach speed compared to outcome conditions ( p < .001), irrespective of internal or external focus direction. Estimated jump height by flight time was similar across all conditions.ConclusionsThe study suggests that benefits of external focus and process instructions for novices may apply only to certain performance variables in complex motor skills.Practical ApplicationsPractitioners can optimize novices’ performance using various process- and outcome-based instructions. External, outcome-based cues enhance overall task performance, while process-based cues may improve specific technical components.
期刊介绍:
The International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching is a peer-reviewed, international, academic/professional journal, which aims to bridge the gap between coaching and sports science. The journal will integrate theory and practice in sports science, promote critical reflection of coaching practice, and evaluate commonly accepted beliefs about coaching effectiveness and performance enhancement. Open learning systems will be promoted in which: (a) sports science is made accessible to coaches, translating knowledge into working practice; and (b) the challenges faced by coaches are communicated to sports scientists. The vision of the journal is to support the development of a community in which: (i) sports scientists and coaches respect and learn from each other as they assist athletes to acquire skills by training safely and effectively, thereby enhancing their performance, maximizing their enjoyment of the sporting experience and facilitating character development; and (ii) scientific research is embraced in the quest to uncover, understand and develop the processes involved in sports coaching and elite performance.