Decreasing Internal Focus of Attention Improves Postural Control During Quiet Standing in Young Healthy Adults

2011 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 634-643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilel Nafati ◽  
Nicolas Vuillerme
Keyword(s):  
Postural Control ◽  
Focus Of Attention ◽  
Healthy Adults ◽  
Quiet Standing ◽  
Internal Focus

Surface height effects on postural control: A hypothesis for a stiffness strategy for stance*

1999 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 277-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark G. Carpenter ◽  
James S. Frank ◽  
Cathy P. Silcher
Keyword(s):  
Postural Control ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
High Surface ◽  
Quiet Standing ◽  
Vestibular Input ◽  
Mean Power ◽  
Mean Power Frequency ◽  
Balance Confidence ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Ankle Stiffness

One possible factor influencing the control of upright stance is the perceived threat to one's personal safety, i.e. balance confidence. We explored this factor by examining the control of stationary stance when standing on an elevated platform under various conditions of reduced visual and vestibular inputs. Twenty-eight adults (14 male and 14 female, mean age = 23.5 years) participated in the experiment. Postural control was examined by recording the amplitude variability (RMS) and mean power frequency (MPF) of center of pressure excursions (COP) over a 2-minute interval while participants stood in a normal stance on a low (0.19 m) and a high (0.81 m) platform with toes positioned either at or away from the edge of the platform. Vision was manipulated through eyes open and eyes closed trials. Vestibular input was reduced by tilting the head into extension [1]. Anterior-posterior RMS and MPF of COP were significantly influenced by an interaction between surface height and vision. When vision was available, a significant decrease in RMS was observed during quiet standing on a high surface compared to a low surface independent of step restriction. When vision was available MPF increased when subjects were raised from a low to a high surface. The mean position of the COP was significantly influenced by an interaction between height and step restriction. Differences in RMS and MPF responses to height manipulation were observed between genders in eyes closed conditions. Vestibular input influenced postural control at both low and high levels with significant increases in RMS when vestibular input was reduced. The reciprocal changes observed in RMS and MPF suggest modifications to postural control through changes in ankle stiffness. Vision appears to play a role in increasing ankle stiffness when balance confidence is compromised.

scholarly journals Thinking Outside the Block: External Focus of Attention Improves Reaction Times and Movement Preparation Times in Collegiate Track Sprinters

Sports ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Attila Kovacs ◽  
Garrett Miles ◽  
Harsimran Baweja
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Focus Of Attention ◽  
Track And Field ◽  
Movement Preparation ◽  
External Focus ◽  
Internal Focus ◽  
Coaching Methods ◽  
Gastrocnemius Muscles

While focusing attention on external cues (EF) has been shown to enhance performance track and field coaches tend to provide instructions that promote internal focus of attention (IF) during block starts. The aims of this study were to determine: (1) whether promoting EF versus IF would improve reaction time (RT) of sprinters, and (2) if changes occur at the level of central processes during movement preparation (premotor RT) or peripheral processes during movement execution (motor RT). Twelve collegiate track sprinters (age 20.8 ± 1.7) completed three testing sessions under EF, IF, and no focus instruction (NF) conditions. RT was recorded from the left and right blocks. Muscle activation time (EMG) was recorded from the vastus lateralis and gastrocnemius muscles. Mean rear foot RT was significantly shorter (p < 0.0001) under the EF (212.11 ms) compared with the IF (234.21 ms) and NF conditions (236.87 ms). Front foot RT was significantly shorter (p < 0.05) during EF (250.24 ms), compared to IF (266.98 ms) but not shorter than the NF (268.73 ms) condition. Mean premotor RT under the EF condition (157.75 ms) was significantly shorter (p < 0.001) compared with the IF (181.90 ms) and NF (173.60 ms) conditions. No differences were found in motor RT across conditions (p > 0.05). Adopting an EF improves RT during sprint starts. This improvement likely originates from a shortening in movement preparation time, as opposed to a faster excitation contraction coupling of the muscle fibers. These findings could potentially contribute to the development of new coaching methods aimed at improving the starting technique of athletes.

Verbal Cues and Attentional Focus: A Simulated Target-Shooting Experiment

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louisa D. Raisbeck ◽  
Jed A. Diekfuss
Keyword(s):  
Attentional Focus ◽  
Focus Of Attention ◽  
Verbal Cues ◽  
Task Load ◽  
External Focus ◽  
Gun Barrel ◽  
Internal Focus ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Nasa Task Load Index ◽  
Learning And Performance

Performance benefits exist for an external focus of attention compared with an internal focus of attention for performance and learning (Wulf, 2013). It is unknown, however, if varying the number of verbal cues affects learning and performance. Focus of attention and the number of verbal cues were manipulated during a simulated handgun-shooting task. For the internal focus conditions, participants were told to focus on their hand, arm, and wrist, whereas the external focus instructions were to focus on the gun, gun barrel, and gun stock. To manipulate the number of verbal cues, participants received instruction to focus on a single verbal cue or multiple verbal cues. Shooting performance was assessed at baseline, acquisition, and at two separate retention phases (immediate, delayed) that included transfer tests. Participants completed the NASA—Task Load Index to assess workload following all trials. Participants who received one verbal cue performed significantly better during immediate retention than those who received three verbal cues. Participants who used external focus of attention instructions had higher performance and reported less workload at delayed retention compared to those who used internal focus instructions. This research provides further support for the benefits of an external focus and highlights the importance of minimizing the number of verbal cues.

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