The effect of internal and external focus of attention on game performance in tennis
Background: Great importance has been given in recent years to the impact of focus of attention cues during skills execution but not during real game play, where more cognitive skills are involved besides technical performance. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Palacký University Olomouc
2016-12-01
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| Series: | Acta Gymnica |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://gymnica.upol.cz/artkey/gym-201604-0002_The_effect_of_internal_and_external_focus_of_attention_on_game_performance_in_tennis.php |
| _version_ | 1811300795972321280 |
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| author | Marina Tsetseli Eleni Zetou Nikos Vernadakis Maria Michalopoulou |
| author_facet | Marina Tsetseli Eleni Zetou Nikos Vernadakis Maria Michalopoulou |
| author_sort | Marina Tsetseli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Great importance has been given in recent years to the impact of focus of attention cues during skills execution but not during real game play, where more cognitive skills are involved besides technical performance. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of internal and external focus of attention instructions on the components of the game performance (decision making, skill execution, base) in tennis. Methods: The participants (N = 60) were divided into three groups and followed an intervention training program that lasted 6 weeks; IF group (n = 20) under internal focus of attention instructions, EF group (n = 20) under external focus of attention instructions and CON group (n = 20) under no attentional focus instructions. Three measurements took place (pre, post and ret) in which the participants were recorded on video while playing matches in real scoring conditions. Game Performance Assessment Instrument (GPAI) was used to evaluate the components of game performance in tennis in three game situations; service, return of the service, base line game. Results: ANOVA repeated measures in a 3 (groups: IF, EF & CON) × 3 (measurements: pre, post, ret) revealed a significant interaction between groups and measurements and post hoc analysis indicated that the group that was instructed to focus externally improved significantly only in decision making compared to the internal focus of attention and to the control group. The score difference was maintained at the retention test as well, which indicates that the impact concerned not only performance but also learning. Conclusions: Instructions that aim to an external focus of attention enhance decision making skills, which are considered the most important element of game performance in tennis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T06:57:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-26491acc22d744f5a3560563ce5c15b4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2336-4912 2336-4920 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T06:57:34Z |
| publishDate | 2016-12-01 |
| publisher | Palacký University Olomouc |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Acta Gymnica |
| spelling | doaj.art-26491acc22d744f5a3560563ce5c15b42022-12-22T02:57:12ZengPalacký University OlomoucActa Gymnica2336-49122336-49202016-12-0146416217310.5507/ag.2016.021gym-201604-0002The effect of internal and external focus of attention on game performance in tennisMarina Tsetseli0Eleni Zetou1Nikos Vernadakis2Maria Michalopoulou3Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, GreeceDepartment of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, GreeceDepartment of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, GreeceDepartment of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, GreeceBackground: Great importance has been given in recent years to the impact of focus of attention cues during skills execution but not during real game play, where more cognitive skills are involved besides technical performance. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of internal and external focus of attention instructions on the components of the game performance (decision making, skill execution, base) in tennis. Methods: The participants (N = 60) were divided into three groups and followed an intervention training program that lasted 6 weeks; IF group (n = 20) under internal focus of attention instructions, EF group (n = 20) under external focus of attention instructions and CON group (n = 20) under no attentional focus instructions. Three measurements took place (pre, post and ret) in which the participants were recorded on video while playing matches in real scoring conditions. Game Performance Assessment Instrument (GPAI) was used to evaluate the components of game performance in tennis in three game situations; service, return of the service, base line game. Results: ANOVA repeated measures in a 3 (groups: IF, EF & CON) × 3 (measurements: pre, post, ret) revealed a significant interaction between groups and measurements and post hoc analysis indicated that the group that was instructed to focus externally improved significantly only in decision making compared to the internal focus of attention and to the control group. The score difference was maintained at the retention test as well, which indicates that the impact concerned not only performance but also learning. Conclusions: Instructions that aim to an external focus of attention enhance decision making skills, which are considered the most important element of game performance in tennis.http://gymnica.upol.cz/artkey/gym-201604-0002_The_effect_of_internal_and_external_focus_of_attention_on_game_performance_in_tennis.phpinstructionsdecision makinggame understandingtactical awarenessnet game |
| spellingShingle | Marina Tsetseli Eleni Zetou Nikos Vernadakis Maria Michalopoulou The effect of internal and external focus of attention on game performance in tennis Acta Gymnica instructions decision making game understanding tactical awareness net game |
| title | The effect of internal and external focus of attention on game performance in tennis |
| title_full | The effect of internal and external focus of attention on game performance in tennis |
| title_fullStr | The effect of internal and external focus of attention on game performance in tennis |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effect of internal and external focus of attention on game performance in tennis |
| title_short | The effect of internal and external focus of attention on game performance in tennis |
| title_sort | effect of internal and external focus of attention on game performance in tennis |
| topic | instructions decision making game understanding tactical awareness net game |
| url | http://gymnica.upol.cz/artkey/gym-201604-0002_The_effect_of_internal_and_external_focus_of_attention_on_game_performance_in_tennis.php |
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