A distal focus of attention leads to superior performance on a golf putting task

The present research examined the immediate impact of challenge and threat states on golf performance in both real competition and a laboratory-based task. In Study 1, 199 experienced golfers reported their evaluations of competition demands and personal coping resources before a golf competition. Evaluating the competition as a challenge (i.e., sufficient resources to cope with demands) was associated with superior performance. In Study 2, 60 experienced golfers randomly received challenge or threat manipulation instructions and then performed a competitive golf-putting task. Challenge and threat states were successfully manipulated and the challenge group outperformed the threat group. Furthermore, the challenge group reported less anxiety, more facilitative interpretations of anxiety, less conscious processing, and displayed longer quiet eye durations. However, these variables failed to mediate the group–performance relationship. These studies demonstrate the importance of considering preperformance psychophysiological states when examining the influence of competitive pressure on motor performance.

Download Full-text

Superior Performance in Skilled Golfers Characterized by Dynamic Neuromotor Processes Related to Attentional Focus

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.633228 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Kuo-Pin Wang ◽

Cornelia Frank ◽

Yen-yu Tsai ◽

Kao-Hung Lin ◽

Tai-Ting Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Control ◽

Control Theory ◽

Success Rate ◽

Attentional Focus ◽

Focus Of Attention ◽

Superior Performance ◽

Depth Information ◽

Automatic Processes ◽

Attention Condition ◽

Four Blocks

The meshed control theory assumes that cognitive control and automatic processes work together in the natural attention of experts for superior performance. However, the methods adopted by previous studies limit their capacity to provide in-depth information on the neuromotor processes. This experiment tested the theory with an alternative approach. Twelve skilled golfers were recruited to perform a putting task under three conditions: (1) normal condition, with no focus instruction (NC), (2) external focus of attention condition (EC), and (3) internal focus of attention condition (IC). Four blocks of 10 putts each were performed under each condition. The putting success rate and accuracy were measured and electroencephalographies (EEGs) were recorded. The behavioral results showed that the NC produced a higher putting success rate and accuracy than the EC and IC. The EEG data showed that the skilled golfers’ attentional processes in the NC initially resembled those in the EC and then moved toward those in the IC just before putting. This indicates a switch from more automatic processes to cognitive control processes while preparing to putt. The findings offer support for the meshed control theory and indicate the dynamic nature of neuromotor processes for the superior performance of athletes in challenging situations.

Download Full-text

Considering a Holistic Focus of Attention as an Alternative to an External Focus

Journal of Motor Learning and Development ◽

10.1123/jmld.2017-0065 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 194-203 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Kevin A. Becker ◽

Ayana F. Georges ◽

Christopher A. Aiken

Keyword(s):

Effective Means ◽

Focus Of Attention ◽

Superior Performance ◽

External Focus ◽

Internal Focus ◽

General Feeling ◽

Focus Condition ◽

Long Jump ◽

Related Line ◽

Conscious Control

Empirical findings consistently suggest that an external focus of attention leads to superior performance when compared to an internal focus by encouraging more automatic processing. However, for certain skills (e.g., gymnastics routines) it can be challenging to identify a meaningful external focus cue. A related line of research suggests that focusing on the general feeling of a movement (i.e., holistic focus) may also be useful in avoiding conscious control of movements. The purpose of this study was to determine how an internal focus (INT), external focus (EXT), and holistic focus (HOL) impact the performance of a standing long jump. Participants (N = 27) completed two baseline jumps followed by two jumps in each focus condition. Jump distance was analyzed in a 6 (Order) × 4 (Focus) mixed ANOVA. Results indicated a significant main effect of focus (p < .001), with EXT and HOL resulting in farther jumps than INT and baseline conditions (p-values < .05). EXT and HOL did not differ significantly from each other, and INT did not differ significantly from baseline. The findings suggest that a holistic focus can be another effective means of avoiding conscious control of movement when an external focus is not practical or desired.

Download Full-text

On the Interaction of Attentional Focus and Gaze: The Quiet Eye Inhibits Focus-Related Performance Decrements

Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology ◽

10.1123/jsep.2013-0273 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 36 (4) ◽

pp. 392-400 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

André Klostermann ◽

Ralf Kredel ◽

Ernst-Joachim Hossner

Keyword(s):

High Performance ◽

Alternative Hypothesis ◽

Large Body ◽

Attentional Focus ◽

Focus Of Attention ◽

Causal Chain ◽

Gaze Behavior ◽

Golf Putting ◽

Quiet Eye

To date, despite a large body of evidence in favor of the advantage of an effect-related focus of attention compared with a movement-related focus of attention in motor control and learning, the role of vision in this context remains unclear. Therefore, in a golf-putting study, the relation between attentional focus and gaze behavior (in particular, quiet eye, or QE) was investigated. First, the advantage of an effect-related focus, as well as of a long QE duration, could be replicated. Furthermore, in the online-demanding task of golf putting, high performance was associated with later QE offsets. Most decisively, an interaction between attentional focus and gaze behavior was revealed in such a way that the efficiency of the QE selectively manifested under movement-related focus instructions. As these findings suggest neither additive effects nor a causal chain, an alternative hypothesis is introduced explaining positive QE effects by the inhibition of not-to-be parameterized movement variants.

Download Full-text

Learning Effect of External Focus of Attention on Golf Putting Classified by Sensory Types

Korean Journal of Sports Science ◽

10.35159/kjss.2018.02.27.1.319 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 319-330

Author(s):

Jong-Seong An

Keyword(s):

Learning Effect ◽

Focus Of Attention ◽

External Focus ◽

Golf Putting

Download Full-text

In situ TEM Studies of agglomeration of sub-nanometer Ru layers in Ru/C multilayers

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100121685 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 50 (1) ◽

pp. 256-257

Author(s):

Tai D. Nguyen ◽

Ronald Gronsky ◽

Jeffrey B. Kortright

Keyword(s):

Layered Structure ◽

Driving Force ◽

High Energy ◽

Superior Performance ◽

In Situ Tem ◽

Rayleigh Instability ◽

Practical Applications ◽

Transmission Electron ◽

Diffraction Patterns

Nanometer period Ru/C multilayers are one of the prime candidates for normal incident reflecting mirrors at wavelengths < 10 nm. Superior performance, which requires uniform layers and smooth interfaces, and high stability of the layered structure under thermal loadings are some of the demands in practical applications. Previous studies however show that the Ru layers in the 2 nm period Ru/C multilayer agglomerate upon moderate annealing, and the layered structure is no longer retained. This agglomeration and crystallization of the Ru layers upon annealing to form almost spherical crystallites is a result of the reduction of surface or interfacial energy from die amorphous high energy non-equilibrium state of the as-prepared sample dirough diffusive arrangements of the atoms. Proposed models for mechanism of thin film agglomeration include one analogous to Rayleigh instability, and grain boundary grooving in polycrystalline films. These models however are not necessarily appropriate to explain for the agglomeration in the sub-nanometer amorphous Ru layers in Ru/C multilayers. The Ru-C phase diagram shows a wide miscible gap, which indicates the preference of phase separation between these two materials and provides an additional driving force for agglomeration. In this paper, we study the evolution of the microstructures and layered structure via in-situ Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and attempt to determine the order of occurence of agglomeration and crystallization in the Ru layers by observing the diffraction patterns.

Download Full-text