A proximal external focus does not benefit skilled skiers

Joseph Varga; David C. Marchant; James Hardy

doi:10.1080/10413200.2024.2407135

A proximal external focus does not benefit skilled skiers

Joseph Varga^*, David C. Marchant, James Hardy

^*Corresponding author for this work

Sport & Physical Activity

Bangor University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate

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Abstract

The potential performance benefit of an external focus of attention remains unexamined for skilled junior performers, especially those executing ballistic, whole-body continuous movements. Skilled junior skiers (M_age = 14.09) completed slalom runs under external focus, internal focus, and control focus conditions. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed no significant difference between attentional foci on performance times. Our data challenges the commonly held belief regarding the superiority of an external focus. Instead, we offer researchers and practitioners a more nuanced discussion concerning possible distance effects (proximal vs. distal) associated with external foci in skilled junior performers executing ballistic, whole-body movements.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	318-325
Number of pages	8
Journal	Journal of Applied Sport Psychology
Volume	37
Issue number	3
Early online date	1 Oct 2024
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2024.2407135
Publication status	Published - 1 Oct 2024

Keywords

proximal external focus
skilled skiers
focus
focus of attention
junior performers
whole-body continuous m ovements

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10.1080/10413200.2024.2407135Licence: CC BY-NC-ND

A proximal external focus does not benefit skilled skiersFinal published version, 896 KBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND

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title = "A proximal external focus does not benefit skilled skiers",

abstract = "The potential performance benefit of an external focus of attention remains unexamined for skilled junior performers, especially those executing ballistic, whole-body continuous movements. Skilled junior skiers (Mage = 14.09) completed slalom runs under external focus, internal focus, and control focus conditions. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed no significant difference between attentional foci on performance times. Our data challenges the commonly held belief regarding the superiority of an external focus. Instead, we offer researchers and practitioners a more nuanced discussion concerning possible distance effects (proximal vs. distal) associated with external foci in skilled junior performers executing ballistic, whole-body movements.",

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doi = "10.1080/10413200.2024.2407135",

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T1 - A proximal external focus does not benefit skilled skiers

AU - Varga, Joseph

AU - Marchant, David C.

AU - Hardy, James

PY - 2024/10/1

Y1 - 2024/10/1

N2 - The potential performance benefit of an external focus of attention remains unexamined for skilled junior performers, especially those executing ballistic, whole-body continuous movements. Skilled junior skiers (Mage = 14.09) completed slalom runs under external focus, internal focus, and control focus conditions. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed no significant difference between attentional foci on performance times. Our data challenges the commonly held belief regarding the superiority of an external focus. Instead, we offer researchers and practitioners a more nuanced discussion concerning possible distance effects (proximal vs. distal) associated with external foci in skilled junior performers executing ballistic, whole-body movements.

AB - The potential performance benefit of an external focus of attention remains unexamined for skilled junior performers, especially those executing ballistic, whole-body continuous movements. Skilled junior skiers (Mage = 14.09) completed slalom runs under external focus, internal focus, and control focus conditions. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed no significant difference between attentional foci on performance times. Our data challenges the commonly held belief regarding the superiority of an external focus. Instead, we offer researchers and practitioners a more nuanced discussion concerning possible distance effects (proximal vs. distal) associated with external foci in skilled junior performers executing ballistic, whole-body movements.

KW - proximal external focus

KW - skilled skiers

KW - focus

KW - focus of attention

KW - junior performers

KW - whole-body continuous m ovements

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DO - 10.1080/10413200.2024.2407135

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AN - SCOPUS:85205368440

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VL - 37

SP - 318

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JO - Journal of Applied Sport Psychology

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A proximal external focus does not benefit skilled skiers

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