Motor Behavior

The Effect of External Attentional Focus Instructions on Learning Tracking Task under Auditory Secondary Task Condition

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Mahshid Zarezade 1
Omid Ansari 2
Alireza Saberi kakhaki 3

1 Assistant Professor, Shahid bahonar univercity of kerman

2 M.Sc. Shahid Bahonar Univercity of kerman

3 Associate Professor, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

https://doi.org/10.22089/mbj.2016.875
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of external attentional focus instructions on learning tracking task under dual-task condition. Forty-two students of Kerman University (aged 19–25) were randomly devided into three groups (the distal external group, proximal external group and control group) after participating in the pre-test. Then, the participants practiced the tracking task in four blocks of four attempt. After 48 hours, they participated in delay retention test under dual-task condition (auditory). In order to measure the performance in tracking task, we used tow-hand coordination test of Vienna set, and the mean total duration in this task was calculated as related variable. Proximal external focus group received instructions about joysticks movements. Distal external focus group received instructions about red dot movement in different parts of track. Control group didn’t receive any instructions. Repeated measures ANOVA test was used in order to specify the difference in acquisition and retention phases. Result showed significant difference between different training blocks in acquisition phase (P = 0.0001) and between attentional groups in retention stage of the test (P = 0.0001). These findings express that increasing the distance of an external focus of attention improves tracking task learning, especially under secondary task; because secondary task condition will enhance attention resources and shift attentional focus to external resource.

Keywords

Attentional Focus Instructions
Retention Test
Tracking Task
Secondary Task Condition

Subjects

  1. Wulf G. Attentional and motor skill learning.2thed. Champaign. IL: Human Kinetic; 2007.35-81, 111-35.
  2. Salmoni A, Schmidt R A, Walter C B. Knowledge of results and motor learning: A review and critical reappraisal. Psychological Bulletin Review. 1984; 95(3): 335-86.
  3. Schmidt R A, Lee T D. Motor control and learning. 4th ed. Champaign. IL: Human Kinetic; 2005. P. 36-7.
  4. Wulf G, Hob M, Prinz W. Instructions for motor learning: Differential effects of internal versus external focus of attention. J Motor Behavior. 1998; 30(2): 169–79.
  5. Totsika V, Wulf G. An external focus of attention enhances transfer to novel situations and skills. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. 2003; 74(2): 220-5.
  6. Zachry T, Wulf G, Mercer J, Bezodis N. Increased movement accuracy and reduced EMG activity as the result of adopting an external focus of attention. Brain Research Bulletin. 2005; 67(4): 304-9.
  7. Wulf G, Dufek J S. Increased jump height with an external focus due to enhances lower extremity joint kinetic. Journal of Motor Behavior. 2009; 41(5): 401-9.
  8. Wulf G, Zachry T, Granados C, Dufek J S. Increase in jump-and reach height through an external focus of attention. International Journal of Sport Science and Coaching. 2007; 2(3): 275-84.
  9. Wulf G, Lauterbach B, Toole T. Learning advantage of an external focus of attention in golf. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. 1999; 70(2): 120-6.
  10. James W. The principles of psychology.2thed. Cambridge.Harvard University Press;1981.594-616
  11. Wulf G, Prinz W. Directing attention to movement effects enhances learning: A review. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review. 2001; 8(4): 648-60.
  12. Prinz W. Perception and action planning. European Journal of Cognitive Psychology. 1997; 9(2): 129-54.
  13. Wulf G, McNevin N H, Shea CH. The automaticity of complex motor skill learning as a function of attentional focus. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. 2001a; 54(4): 1143–54.
  14. Maxwell J P, Masters R S. External versus internal focus instructions: Is the learner paying attention. International Journal of Applied Sports Sciences. 2002; 14(2): 70-88.
  15. Emmanuel M, Jarus T, Bart O. Effect of focus of attention and age on motor acquisition, retention and transfer. Physical Therapy. 2008; 88(2): 251.
  16. Perkins-Ceccato N, Passmore R, Lee D. Effects of focus of attention depend on golfer’s skill. J Sport Sci. 2003; 21(8): 593-600.
  17. Mullen R, Faull A, Jones Eleri S, Kingston K. Attentional focus and performance anxiety: Effects on simulated race-dri ving performance and heart rate variability. Movement Science and Sport Psychology. 2012; 3(1): 426.
  18. Duke Robert A. Focus of attention affects performance of motor skills in music. Journal of Research in Music Education. 2011; 59(1): 44-55.
  19. Beilock S L, Carr T H, MacMahon C, Starkes J L. When paying attention becomes counterproductive: Impact of divided versus skill-focused attention on novice and experienced performance of sensorimotor skills. Journal of Experimental Psychology Applied. 2002; 8(1): 6–16.
  20. Bell J J, Hardy J. Effects of attentional focus on skilled performance in golf. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology. 2009; 21(2): 162–77.
  21. Chong R K, Mills B, Dailey L, Lane E, Smith S, Lee K H. Specific interference between a cognitive task and sensoryorganization for stance balance control in healthy young adults: Visuospatial effects. Neuropsychologia. 2010; 48(9): 2709–18.
  22. Hiraga C Y, Garry M I, Carson R G, Summers J J. Dual-task interference: Attentional and neurophysiological influences. Behav Brain Res. 2009; 205(1): 10–8.
  23. Hemond C, Brown R M, Robertson E M. A distraction can impair or enhance motor performance. J Neurosci. 2010; 30(2): 650–4.
  24. Lovden M, Schaefer S, Pohlmeyer A E, Lindenberger U. Walking variable and working – memory load in aging: A dual–process gerontology: Account relating cognitive control to motor control performance. Journal of Psychological Sciences. 2008; 63B (3): 121-8.
  25. Roche R A, Commins S, Agnew F, Cassidy S, Corapi K, Leibbrand S, et al. Concurrent task performance enhances low-level visuomotor learning. Percept Psychophys. 2007; 69(4): 513–22.
  26. Karner T, Neuwirth W. Validation of traffic psychology tests by comparing with actual driving. International Conference on Traffic and Transport Psychology. Berne Switzerland; 2000.
  27. Schoor C، Bannert M، Bru¨ nken R. Role of dual task design when measuring cognitive load during multimedia learning. Education Tech Research Dev. 2012; 60(5): 753–68.
  28. Wulf G, Su J. An external focus of attention enhances golf shot accuracy in beginners and experts. Res Q Exerc Sport. 2007; 78(4): 384–9.
  29. Zentgraf K, Munzert J. Effects of attentional-focus instructions on movement kinematics. Psychology of Sport and Exercise. 2009; 10(5): 520-5.
  30. Wulf G, McNevin N H, Fuchs T, Ritter F, Toole T. Attentional focus in complex motor skill learning. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. 2000; 71(3): 229-39.
  31. Hodges N J, Franks I M. Learning a coordination skill: Interactive effects of instruction and feedback. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. 2001; 72(2): 132-42.
  32. Al-Abood S A, Bennett S J, Hernandez F M, Ashford D, Davids K. Effect of verbal instructions and image size on visual search strategies in basketball free throw shooting. Journal of Sport Science. 2002; 20(3): 271-8.
  33. Cottyn J, Declercq D, Crombez G, Lenoir M. The role of preparatory heart rate decelaration on balance eamperformance. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology. 2008; 30(2): 159-70.
  34. Baddeley A, Hitch G J. Working memory. In G. A. Bower (Ed.), Recent Advances in Learning and Motivation. 1974; 8(1): 47–90.
  35. Meilinger T, Knauff M, B¨ulthoff Heinrich H. Working memory in wayfinding—a dual task experiment in a virtual cty. Cognitive Science. 2008; 32(4): 755–70.
  36. Huxhold O, Li S, Schmiedek F, Lindenberger U. Dual–tasking postural control: Aging and the effects of cognitive demand in conjunction with focus of attention. Brain Research Bulletin. 2006; 69(3): 294-305
Motor Behavior
Volume 8, Issue 26
Winter 2017
Pages 73-88

  • Receive Date 10 December 2015
  • Revise Date 13 March 2016
  • Accept Date 03 April 2016

Home

Reviewers

Submit Manuscript

Publication Ethics

news

Journal Metrics

Contact Us