The Effect of Attention Instructions on Kinesthesia of Memory and Brain Waves

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

2 Department of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, IR-Iran

3 Professor, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.

4 Associate Professor, Faculty of Mathematical Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran.

5 Isalamic Azad University, Mashhad Branch

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of attention instructions on kinesthesia of memory, alpha, and theta wave changes in professional basketball players.
Method: Thirty-six male athletes were randomly assigned into three groups: internal attention, external attention, and control. A quasi-experimental research design with a pretest-posttest design including experimental and control groups was applied. In the pre-test, kinesthesia of memory, free throw, and 5-blinded brain waves on baseline were measured. In the acquisition phase, participants performed 20 attempts on the coordination test under four conditions (40-40°, 80-80°, 40-80°, 80-40°). The internal attention group focused on the movement of their limbs while moving, while the external attention group focused on the purpose and angle of movement. The retention test was conducted one day later, and the transfer test was conducted two days after the acquisition test.
Results: Practicing a sense of movement showed significant progress. There were also significant interactive effects with the group. The results within each group showed that the effect of training sessions on theta and alpha waves was significant.
Conclusion: The results support the constrained action hypothesis and the conscious processing hypothesis, suggesting that external focus requires less attention than internal focus. The non-optimal increase of alpha waves resulting from internal attention led to performance impairment. The decrease in alpha waves also led to increased sensory processing of information and improved performance.
 

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Main Subjects

Sports Psychology
Volume 15, Issue 1
2023
Pages 91-112

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History

  • Receive Date: 09 October 2021
  • Revise Date: 01 December 2021
  • Accept Date: 19 January 2022

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