Sports Psychology

Sports Psychology

The Effects of Focus of Attention on Shooting Skill of Novice and Elite Shooters in Malek Ashtar Arak Educational Center

Document Type : علمی- پژوهشی

Authors
Sajad Nemati 1
Alireza Bahrami 2
Mohammad Soleimani Rad 3
1 Teacher, Arak University
2 2. Department and Sport Psychology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Arak University, Arak, Iran
3 Faculty of Sport Sciences, Arak University
10.48308/mbsp.2022.225427.1087
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of external and internal attention on the shooting skills of novice and elite shooters among the staff of Malek Ashtar Educational Center in Arak.
Methods: The research was quasi-experimental with an applied purpose. The statistical population of the study included all soldiers at the Malek Ashtar Educational Center. The statistical sample consisted of 30 individuals selected through convenience sampling. Participants were divided into two groups: 15 skilled shooters and 15 novice shooters. The tools used in the present study were a shooting simulator and a scorecard. To test the hypothesis, mixed-design ANOVA was administered using SPSS 26 software at a significance level of 0.05.
Results: The results showed that the main effects of the experimental groups and the attention conditions were significant. However, the interaction between the group and attention conditions was not significant. The shooting accuracy of novice and elite shooters in the external attention condition was significantly better than in the internal attention condition (P<0.001).
Conclusion: It appears that the staff of Malek Ashtar Educational Center would likely benefit more from providing instructions and guidance focused on elements outside the body and its movements while performing shooting skills.

Highlights

  1. McNicholas K, and Comyns TM. Attentional Focus and the Effect on Change-of-Direction and Acceleration Performance. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. 2020; 34(7): 1860-66. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000003610
  2. Letafatkar A, Rabiei P, Abbaszadeh Ghanati H, Khosrokiani Z, Ghahremani N, Gokeler A. Training athletes with an external attentional focus enhances athletic performance during countermovement jump. Sport Sciences for Health. 2020; 16: 737-745.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11332-020-00652-4

  1. Diekfuss JA, Rhea CK, Schmitz RJ, Grooms DR, Wilkins RW, Slutsky AB, Raisbeck LD. The influence of attentional focus on balance control over seven days of training. Journal of motor behavior. 2019; 51(3): 281-292.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222895.2018.1468312

  1. Lei Z, Yin D, Zhang H. Focus Within or On Others: The Impact of Reviewers' Attentional Focus on Review Helpfulness. Information Systems Research. 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/isre.2021.1007
  2. Wang KP., et al. Superior performance in skilled golfers characterized by dynamic neuromotor processes related to attentional focus. Frontiers in Psychology. 2021; 12: 337-347. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.633228
  3. Milley KR, Ouellette GP. Putting Attention on the Spot in Coaching: Shifting to an External Focus of Attention With Imagery Techniques to Improve Basketball Free-Throw Shooting Performance. Frontiers in Psychology. 2021; 12: 918-927. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.645676
  4. Vaughan RS, Laborde S. Attention, working-memory control, working-memory capacity, and sport performance: The moderating role of athletic expertise. European journal of sport science. 2021; 21(2): 240-249. 10.1080/17461391.2020.1739143
  5. Ali Asghari Toyeh M, Memarmoghaddam M, Mohamadi M. The Role of Attention Instructions on Alpha and Theta Wave Variations and Throw Accuracy. Development And Motor Learning (Harkat). 2019; 11(3): 361-378. In Persian
  6. Nasiri S, Shahbazi M, Jaberi A. Effect of the interaction of attentional focus types and the competitive environment on learning and performance overarm throw with the non-dominant hand. Journal of Sport Management and Motor Behavior. 2021; 16(32): In Persian https://doi.org/10.22080/jsmb.2020.12450.2644
  7. Neumann DL. A systematic review of attentional focus strategies in weightlifting. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. 2019; 1: 7. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2019.00007
  8. Aghdaei M, Farsi A, Khalaji M. The role of associative and dissociative attentional focus with internal and external dimensions on blood lactate and Borg Ratings of Perceived Exertion Scale. Journal of Sport Management and Motor Behavior. In Press; In Persian http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/jmld.2020-0067
  9. Schoenfeld BJ, et al. Differential effects of attentional focus strategies during long-term resistance training. European journal of sport science. 2018; 18(5): 705-712. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2018.1447020
  10. Wulf G, Lewthwaite R, Cardozo P, Chiviacowsky S. Triple play: Additive contributions of enhanced expectancies, autonomy support, and external attentional focus to motor learning. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. 2018; 71(4): 824-831. 10.1080/17470218.2016.1276204
  11. Mak TC, Young WR, Chan DC-L, Wong T W-L. Gait stability in older adults during level-ground walking: the attentional focus approach. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B. 2020; 75(2): 274-281. 10.1093/geronb/gby115
  12. Winkelman NC, Clark KP, Ryan LJ. Experience level influences the effect of attentional focus on sprint performance. Human movement science. 2017; 52: 84-95. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2017.01.012
  13. Schmidt R, Lee T. Motor learning and performance 6th edition with web study guide-loose-leaf edition: From principles to application. Human Kinetics Publisher, 2019.
  14. Lemos A, Wulf G. Lewthwaite R. Chiviacowsky S. Autonomy support enhances performance expectancies, positive affect, and motor learning. Psychology of Sport and Exercise. 2017; 31: 28-34. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2017.03.009
  15. Abdollahipour R, Nieto MP, Psotta R, Wulf G. External focus of attention and autonomy support have additive benefits for motor performance in children. Psychology of Sport and Exercise. 2017; 32: 17-24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2017.05.004
  16. Couvillion KF, Fairbrother JT. Expert and novice performers respond differently to attentional focus cues for speed jump roping. Frontiers in psychology. 2018; 9: 2370-2379. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02370
  17. Grgic J, Mikulic I, Mikulic P. Acute and long-term effects of attentional focus strategies on muscular strength: a meta-analysis. Sports. 2021; 9(11):153. 10.3390/sports9110153
  18. Chua LK, Jimenez-Diaz J, Lewthwaite R, Kim T, Wulf G. Superiority of external attentional focus for motor performance and learning: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Psychological bulletin. 2021; 147(6):618. 10.1037/bul0000335
  19. Oftadeh S, et al., The combined effect of differential Education approach and attention instructions on motor creativity. Journal of Sport Psychology, 2021.
  20. Farokhi A, Pashabadi A, Jamshidi A, Shahbazi M. The effect of internal and external attention focus on the postural sways and EMG's changes in the elite gymnasts. Journal of Sport Psychology. 2011; 3(1): 421-428. In Persian
  21. Abd Malek N, Azmi A and Low J. The Effects Of Attentional Focus On Muscle Activation And Performance During Squat Exercise. European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine. 2020; 7(2): 5863-5873. In Persian
  22. Qeysari F, Shahbazi M, Tahmasebi Boroujeni Sh, Sharifnejad A. The Effect of External and Internal Focus of Attention on Electromyography of the Lower Extremity Muscles in Different Phases of Vertical Jump. Motor Behavior. 2020; 12(40): 87-102. In Persian https://doi.org/10.22089/mbj.2020.7204.1790
  23. Maloney MA, Gorman AD. Skilled swimmers maintain performance stability under changing attentional focus constraints. Human Movement Science. 2021; 77: 102789. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2021.102789
  24. LoSarah LL. Effects of Attentional Focus Cues on Soccer Trap Kinematics and Performance. 2019. Illinois State University.
  25. Hatemi F, Tahmasbi F, Hadi H., The effect of internal and external focus of attention on EEG changes in darts throwing skill. Neuropsychology. 2018; 3(11): 115-130. In Persian

20.1001.1.24765023.1396.3.11.8.1

  1. Marcin S. Effects of attentional focus on flying disc throwing accuracy in terms of lateralization and throwing technique. Theory and Practice of Physical Culture. 2020; 10-12.
  2. Almeida SA, et al., Attentional Focus Repercussions on Athletes’ Performance: A Systematic Review. European Journal of Sports & Exercise Science. 2019; 7(1): 1-8.
  3. Beilock SL, Carr TH, MacMahon C, Starkes JL. 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. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037//1076-898x.8.1.6
  4. Ong NT, Hodges NJ. Motor Learning. The Routledge International Encyclopedia of Sport and Exercise Psychology: Volume 1: Theoretical and Methodological Concepts, 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781315187259-26
  5. Dalvand pour N, Zarei M, Abdoli B, Abbasi H, Mohamadian M. The effect of External focus attention exercise on the kinetic risk factors associated with ACL injury. The Scientific Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. 2020;470-785. In Persian 10.32598/sjrm.10.3.8
  6. Abbas-Nejad M, Moghadam A, Nazari Monazam M, Masoudi H. The Impact of Various Focuses of Attention Guidelines on the Performance of Beginner Snipers. Journal of woman police etudies, 2015; (22): 24-31. In Persian
  7. Charles MT, Copay AG. Acquisition of marksmanship and gun handling skills through basic law enforcement training in an American police department. International journal of police science & management. 2003; 5(1): 16-30.
36. Mohammadi M, Mosavi f. The role of systems simulator on private's shooting skill level. Management Studies on Disciplinary Education, 2017; 36: 1-38. In Persian
  1. Amini A, Vaezmousavi M, Naji M. The effect of internal and external attention focus on quiet eye characteristics of military elite shooters. Ebnesina. 2018; 20(3): 30-38. In Persian
  2. Amini A, Vaezmousavi M. The Effect of differential attentional focus strategies on the performance of military elite shooters. Behavioural Neurology. 2020; 1-8. 10.1155/2020/1067610
  3. Wulf G, McNevin N, Shea CH. The automaticity of complex motor skill learning as a function of attentional focus. The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology Section A. 2001; 54(4): 1143-1154. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/1067610
  4. Wulf G, Su J. An external focus of attention enhances golf shot accuracy in beginners and experts. Research quarterly for exercise and sport. 2007; 78(4): 384-389. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2007.10599436
  5. Masters RSW, Maxwell J. The theory of reinvestment. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology. 2008; 1(2): 160-183. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17509840802287218
  6. Kearney PE. A distal focus of attention leads to superior performance on a golf putting task. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. 2015; 13(4): 371-381. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1612197x.2014.993682
  7. Marchant DC, Clough PJ, Crawshaw M. The effects of attentional focusing strategies on novice dart throwing performance and their task experiences. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psycholog. 2007; 5(3): 291-303. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1612197x.2007.9671837
  8. Amoorezaie P, Arabameri E, Tahmasebi Boroujeni S. Contributions of external attentional focus, enhanced expectancies and autonomy support to enhance learning skills of throwing darts. International Journal of Motor Control and Learning. 2020, 10;2(2):42-53. In Persian https://doi.org/10.29252/ijmcl.2.2.42

Keywords
Education
Shooting
Internal Attention
External Attention
Subjects
  1. McNicholas K, and Comyns TM. Attentional Focus and the Effect on Change-of-Direction and Acceleration Performance. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. 2020; 34(7): 1860-66. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000003610
  2. Letafatkar A, Rabiei P, Abbaszadeh Ghanati H, Khosrokiani Z, Ghahremani N, Gokeler A. Training athletes with an external attentional focus enhances athletic performance during countermovement jump. Sport Sciences for Health. 2020; 16: 737-745.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11332-020-00652-4

  1. Diekfuss JA, Rhea CK, Schmitz RJ, Grooms DR, Wilkins RW, Slutsky AB, Raisbeck LD. The influence of attentional focus on balance control over seven days of training. Journal of motor behavior. 2019; 51(3): 281-292.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222895.2018.1468312

  1. Lei Z, Yin D, Zhang H. Focus Within or On Others: The Impact of Reviewers' Attentional Focus on Review Helpfulness. Information Systems Research. 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/isre.2021.1007
  2. Wang KP., et al. Superior performance in skilled golfers characterized by dynamic neuromotor processes related to attentional focus. Frontiers in Psychology. 2021; 12: 337-347. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.633228
  3. Milley KR, Ouellette GP. Putting Attention on the Spot in Coaching: Shifting to an External Focus of Attention With Imagery Techniques to Improve Basketball Free-Throw Shooting Performance. Frontiers in Psychology. 2021; 12: 918-927. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.645676
  4. Vaughan RS, Laborde S. Attention, working-memory control, working-memory capacity, and sport performance: The moderating role of athletic expertise. European journal of sport science. 2021; 21(2): 240-249. 10.1080/17461391.2020.1739143
  5. Ali Asghari Toyeh M, Memarmoghaddam M, Mohamadi M. The Role of Attention Instructions on Alpha and Theta Wave Variations and Throw Accuracy. Development And Motor Learning (Harkat). 2019; 11(3): 361-378. In Persian
  6. Nasiri S, Shahbazi M, Jaberi A. Effect of the interaction of attentional focus types and the competitive environment on learning and performance overarm throw with the non-dominant hand. Journal of Sport Management and Motor Behavior. 2021; 16(32): In Persian https://doi.org/10.22080/jsmb.2020.12450.2644
  7. Neumann DL. A systematic review of attentional focus strategies in weightlifting. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. 2019; 1: 7. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2019.00007
  8. Aghdaei M, Farsi A, Khalaji M. The role of associative and dissociative attentional focus with internal and external dimensions on blood lactate and Borg Ratings of Perceived Exertion Scale. Journal of Sport Management and Motor Behavior. In Press; In Persian http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/jmld.2020-0067
  9. Schoenfeld BJ, et al. Differential effects of attentional focus strategies during long-term resistance training. European journal of sport science. 2018; 18(5): 705-712. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2018.1447020
  10. Wulf G, Lewthwaite R, Cardozo P, Chiviacowsky S. Triple play: Additive contributions of enhanced expectancies, autonomy support, and external attentional focus to motor learning. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. 2018; 71(4): 824-831. 10.1080/17470218.2016.1276204
  11. Mak TC, Young WR, Chan DC-L, Wong T W-L. Gait stability in older adults during level-ground walking: the attentional focus approach. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B. 2020; 75(2): 274-281. 10.1093/geronb/gby115
  12. Winkelman NC, Clark KP, Ryan LJ. Experience level influences the effect of attentional focus on sprint performance. Human movement science. 2017; 52: 84-95. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2017.01.012
  13. Schmidt R, Lee T. Motor learning and performance 6th edition with web study guide-loose-leaf edition: From principles to application. Human Kinetics Publisher, 2019.
  14. Lemos A, Wulf G. Lewthwaite R. Chiviacowsky S. Autonomy support enhances performance expectancies, positive affect, and motor learning. Psychology of Sport and Exercise. 2017; 31: 28-34. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2017.03.009
  15. Abdollahipour R, Nieto MP, Psotta R, Wulf G. External focus of attention and autonomy support have additive benefits for motor performance in children. Psychology of Sport and Exercise. 2017; 32: 17-24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2017.05.004
  16. Couvillion KF, Fairbrother JT. Expert and novice performers respond differently to attentional focus cues for speed jump roping. Frontiers in psychology. 2018; 9: 2370-2379. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02370
  17. Grgic J, Mikulic I, Mikulic P. Acute and long-term effects of attentional focus strategies on muscular strength: a meta-analysis. Sports. 2021; 9(11):153. 10.3390/sports9110153
  18. Chua LK, Jimenez-Diaz J, Lewthwaite R, Kim T, Wulf G. Superiority of external attentional focus for motor performance and learning: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Psychological bulletin. 2021; 147(6):618. 10.1037/bul0000335
  19. Oftadeh S, et al., The combined effect of differential Education approach and attention instructions on motor creativity. Journal of Sport Psychology, 2021.
  20. Farokhi A, Pashabadi A, Jamshidi A, Shahbazi M. The effect of internal and external attention focus on the postural sways and EMG's changes in the elite gymnasts. Journal of Sport Psychology. 2011; 3(1): 421-428. In Persian
  21. Abd Malek N, Azmi A and Low J. The Effects Of Attentional Focus On Muscle Activation And Performance During Squat Exercise. European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine. 2020; 7(2): 5863-5873. In Persian
  22. Qeysari F, Shahbazi M, Tahmasebi Boroujeni Sh, Sharifnejad A. The Effect of External and Internal Focus of Attention on Electromyography of the Lower Extremity Muscles in Different Phases of Vertical Jump. Motor Behavior. 2020; 12(40): 87-102. In Persian https://doi.org/10.22089/mbj.2020.7204.1790
  23. Maloney MA, Gorman AD. Skilled swimmers maintain performance stability under changing attentional focus constraints. Human Movement Science. 2021; 77: 102789. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2021.102789
  24. LoSarah LL. Effects of Attentional Focus Cues on Soccer Trap Kinematics and Performance. 2019. Illinois State University.
  25. Hatemi F, Tahmasbi F, Hadi H., The effect of internal and external focus of attention on EEG changes in darts throwing skill. Neuropsychology. 2018; 3(11): 115-130. In Persian

20.1001.1.24765023.1396.3.11.8.1

  1. Marcin S. Effects of attentional focus on flying disc throwing accuracy in terms of lateralization and throwing technique. Theory and Practice of Physical Culture. 2020; 10-12.
  2. Almeida SA, et al., Attentional Focus Repercussions on Athletes’ Performance: A Systematic Review. European Journal of Sports & Exercise Science. 2019; 7(1): 1-8.
  3. Beilock SL, Carr TH, MacMahon C, Starkes JL. 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. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037//1076-898x.8.1.6
  4. Ong NT, Hodges NJ. Motor Learning. The Routledge International Encyclopedia of Sport and Exercise Psychology: Volume 1: Theoretical and Methodological Concepts, 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781315187259-26
  5. Dalvand pour N, Zarei M, Abdoli B, Abbasi H, Mohamadian M. The effect of External focus attention exercise on the kinetic risk factors associated with ACL injury. The Scientific Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. 2020;470-785. In Persian 10.32598/sjrm.10.3.8
  6. Abbas-Nejad M, Moghadam A, Nazari Monazam M, Masoudi H. The Impact of Various Focuses of Attention Guidelines on the Performance of Beginner Snipers. Journal of woman police etudies, 2015; (22): 24-31. In Persian
  7. Charles MT, Copay AG. Acquisition of marksmanship and gun handling skills through basic law enforcement training in an American police department. International journal of police science & management. 2003; 5(1): 16-30.
36. Mohammadi M, Mosavi f. The role of systems simulator on private's shooting skill level. Management Studies on Disciplinary Education, 2017; 36: 1-38. In Persian
  1. Amini A, Vaezmousavi M, Naji M. The effect of internal and external attention focus on quiet eye characteristics of military elite shooters. Ebnesina. 2018; 20(3): 30-38. In Persian
  2. Amini A, Vaezmousavi M. The Effect of differential attentional focus strategies on the performance of military elite shooters. Behavioural Neurology. 2020; 1-8. 10.1155/2020/1067610
  3. Wulf G, McNevin N, Shea CH. The automaticity of complex motor skill learning as a function of attentional focus. The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology Section A. 2001; 54(4): 1143-1154. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/1067610
  4. Wulf G, Su J. An external focus of attention enhances golf shot accuracy in beginners and experts. Research quarterly for exercise and sport. 2007; 78(4): 384-389. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2007.10599436
  5. Masters RSW, Maxwell J. The theory of reinvestment. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology. 2008; 1(2): 160-183. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17509840802287218
  6. Kearney PE. A distal focus of attention leads to superior performance on a golf putting task. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. 2015; 13(4): 371-381. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1612197x.2014.993682
  7. Marchant DC, Clough PJ, Crawshaw M. The effects of attentional focusing strategies on novice dart throwing performance and their task experiences. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psycholog. 2007; 5(3): 291-303. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1612197x.2007.9671837
  8. Amoorezaie P, Arabameri E, Tahmasebi Boroujeni S. Contributions of external attentional focus, enhanced expectancies and autonomy support to enhance learning skills of throwing darts. International Journal of Motor Control and Learning. 2020, 10;2(2):42-53. In Persian https://doi.org/10.29252/ijmcl.2.2.42
Sports Psychology
Volume 15, Issue 2
2023
Pages 157-170

  • Receive Date 16 January 2022
  • Revise Date 12 April 2022
  • Accept Date 15 May 2022