Master of Science Marcin Starzak
Department of Sports for All, Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Faculty of Physical Education and Health, Poland

An external focus of attention rather than internal focus has been found an effective instruction in enhancing motor performance and learning in sport. Previous research has mostly investigated the effects of using attentional foci on task performance, however not including lateralization of movement. The aim of this study was to examine the use of external, internal and neutral focus of attention on forehand and backhand throwing accuracy in respect of functional lateralization. Eighteen male students (21.8±0.7 years, body mass 77.2±8.1 kg, body height 1.78±0.06 m) performed ten bilateral backhand, and forehand Frisbee throws in the counterbalanced order. Data were evaluated by ANOVA with repeated measures followed by Tukey’s test and the level of significance was set at p<0.05. The results found that the throwing accuracy was greater (p<0.05) when the participants were instructed externally compared to focusing internally during the performance of the forehand and backhand throws by dominant and non-dominant arm, respectively. The results support the constrained action hypothesis and provide a practical suggestion to use external instructions rather than internal ones when executing bilaterally forms of throw, particularly when the task is difficult.

Keywords: external focus, internal focus, motor control, Frisbee, forehand, backhand

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