Attentional focusing in running: Implicit focus manipulations reflect the effects for explicit instructions

Abstract

Numerous studies exhibit detrimental effects of an internal focus of attention compared to an external focus in terms of running economy. The instructions to manipulate attentional focus are primarily explicit. This study compares explicit verbal (top-down) and natural implicit (bottom-up) focus manipulations, assuming that they present different ways of information processing. Forty trained runners completed a 36-min-run focusing internally (running movement) and externally (video). Both foci were explicitly manipulated through instructions and implicitly by creating situations where participants unconsciously adopted the required focus. Between each manipulated condition participants ran 5 min without any instruction. Oxygen consumption was assessed via spiroergometry. Results revealed a main effect of focus (lower VO₂ values for both external conditions) with F(1,39)= 7.40, p = .01 and η² _p= .16, but no main effect of instruction type and no interaction effect. This finding strengthens the detrimental effect of an internal focus compared to an external focus regardless of the instruction type.

Keywords:

• attentional focus
• running economy
• explicit
• implicit
• instructions