Attentional Focus Effects in Balance Acrobats

Abstract

Performing and learning motor skills has been shown to be enhanced if the performer adopts an external relative to internal focus (or no focus) of attention (Wulf, 2007). The present study examined the generalizability of this effect to top-level performers (balance acrobats). Participants performed a balance task (standing on an inflated rubber disk) under each of three attentional focus conditions: (a) external focus (i.e., minimize movements of the disk), (b) internal focus (i.e., minimize movements of the feet), and (c) control conditions (no focus instructions). While there were no differences between conditions in the amount of postural sway, the frequency of movement adjustments was higher in the control condition, relative to both external and internal focus conditions. This suggests that movement automaticity and postural stability were greatest when the balance experts were free to adopt their “normal” focus of attention. The finding implies that there may be a limit to the performance-enhancing effects of external focus instructions for top-level performers. The findings are discussed in terms of action control levels and possible changes in the optimal attentional focus with the performer's level of expertise.

Key words:

• Attention
• Expertise
• Motor control
• Posture

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Gabriele Wulf

Special thanks to Arthur, Dima, Jeremy, Ludmilla, Marco, Marek, Micheline, Oscar, Rustam, Sebastian, Slava, and Vladimir for participating in this study; to Janet Pundick and Nancy Mallette at Cirque du Soleil's Mystère for their organizational help; and to Bhaarath Kumar and Rohith Ramnath for technical assistance. Please address all correspondence concerning this article to Gabriele Wulf, Department of Kinesiology, University of Nevada–Las Vegas, 4505 Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154-3034.