Dr Ayoub Asadi, Dr Mahmood Sheikh, Dr Davood Hoomanian, Dr Saleh Rafiei,
Volume 10, Issue 20 (11-2020)
Abstract
Focus of Attention and Quiet Eye (QE) of the affecting variables on aiming task performance in recent decades have always been interesting for psychologist and sport science researchers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of attention instructions on gaze behavior and accuracy of dart throwing of novice in low and high task load. In a semi-experimental design with repeated measurements, participant performed dart throwing under three attentional condition (internal, external and control) in two different task load (low and high). Result showed the external focus in high load task improved accuracy of dart throwing than internal focus; in the event that, for low load task there was no significant difference between the attentional conditions. Also, for QE none of attention, load task and their interaction effects was not significant. Results of research for performance supported the constrained action hypothesis; and in contrast to the conscious processing hypothesis. Also the result of gaze behavior suggests several interesting areas for future research.
Dr Ayoub Asadi, Dr Mahmood Sheikh, Dr Davood Hoomanian, Dr Saleh Rafiee,
Volume 12, Issue 24 (12-2022)
Abstract
It has been shown in various researches that the focus of attention and quiet eye duration (QED) are effective variables on the performance of targeting tasks. However, the impact of these variables on motor skills in children needs more research; Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different attentional focus instruction on QED and accuracy of children's darts throwing. Participants such as twelve right handed children (age: M=8.83, SD=0.79) without dart throwing experience participated in the study; while their eyes movements were recorded by an eye tracker system, participants performed 18 dart throws (6 blocks of 3 trials) under three different attentional conditions: 1) an external focus, 2) an internal focus, and 3) control conditions. The result showed that effect of focus of attention was significant neither for accuracy nor for QED. Therefore, in order to be aware of the optimal focus of children, more research is needed in various motor tasks.
