Changing motor patterns: Attentional focus and control parameter

• Main Author: House, Jordan David
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01.01.2008
• Subjects: Anatomy & physiology; Health; Health sciences; Kinesiology; Physiology; Sports medicine
• ISBN: 0549499016; 9780549499015

The purpose of this study is to determine if scaling up on a control parameter serves to change motor patterns more effectively than providing the performer with an External Focus or Internal Focus of Attention. Forty-one college-age students voluntarily participated in this study. The participants were randomly divided into four conditions. Participants in the Internal Focus condition received instruction relative to an Internal Focus of Attention. Participants in the External Focus condition received instruction relative to an External Focus of Attention. Participants in the Control Parameter condition were encouraged to scale up on throwing velocity, which is a known control parameter for throwing. Participants in the Control condition were used as control and received no instruction. The participants practiced throwing with the non-dominant arm twice per week for three weeks, performing fifteen throws each session. Focus instructions and control parameter emphasis were given after every five throws. A Peak Motus 9.2 Motion Analysis System recorded the movement of limb segments. Time to Peak Velocity (TTPV) and Peak Velocity (PV) were digitized for pattern change analysis. A 4x7 (Condition x Session) MANOVA was performed on the dependent measures of segmental lag for the humerus, forearm, and hand. Follow-up Discriminant Analysis and one-way ANOVA were performed on the variable identified as most important in defining differences in data (Humeral Lag). It was concluded that scaling up on a control parameter served to better promote mature motor patterns than focus instructions. However, neither strategy resulted in significant retention of pattern change.