Attentional focus on learning fundamental movement skills in children

Abstract

Several researchers studying focus of attention have concluded that the external focus is superior to the internal in learning motor skills in adults. However, there is limited research concerning the effect of different focus of attention on learning fundamental movement skills in kindergarten children. The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of internal and external focus of attention on learning and transfer of a throwing skill in kindergarten children. Participants were 51 children (5-6 years), boys and girls, who were randomly selected and assigned into three groups: two experimental (internal and external focus respectively) and one control group. The movement form and the outcome of a throwing task were evaluated. It was found that both experimental groups improved over time, in both movement form and outcome. During the transfer test, the external focus group was better than the internal focus group in movement form; however, there were no differences in movement outcome. It is concluded that both the external or internal focus of attention improved over time the movement outcome and form of the throwing skill. Since the acquisition of sports skills requires the acquisition of fundamental motor skills, further research is needed to investigate the effect of the external or internal focus of attention on fundamental movement skills in kindergarten children.