This study examined the training effect of attentional focus (external focus, internal focus, or no focus instructions) on a dynamic balance task. Participants completed baseline balance testing, seven consecutive days of dynamic balance board training, and retention testing 24 hours after the last session. The novel finding of this study was the presence of a training effect on balance control when adopting an external focus relative to an internal focus or no focus instructions. Further, we report the unique observation that more patterned behavior was adopted regardless of the focus instructions. These findings provide insight into how instructions can be altered to enhance human balance control and complement the constrained-action hypothesis.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222895.2018.1468312DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

balance control
12
focus instructions
12
focus
9
attentional focus
8
external focus
8
internal focus
8
focus focus
8
dynamic balance
8
balance
6
influence attentional
4

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!