Instructions to Adopt an External Focus Enhance Muscular Endurance |
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| Authors: | David C Marchant Matt Greig Jonathan Bullough Daniel Hitchen |
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| Institution: | Department of Sport and Physical Activity , Edge Hill University |
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| Abstract: | Abstract The influence of internal (movement focus) and external (outcome focus) attentional-focusing instructions on muscular endurance were investigated using three exercise protocols with experienced exercisers. Twenty-three participants completed a maximal repetition, assisted bench-press test on a Smith's machine. An external focus of attention resulted in significant (p < .05) improvements in performance compared to the internal focus of attention, but not the control condition. Seventeen participants completed repetitions to failure at 75% 1-RM on free bench-press and squat exercises. In both tasks, externally focused instructions resulted in significantly greater repetitions to failure than control and internal focus conditions (p < .05). These results support previous research showing beneficial effects of externally focused instructions on movement efficiency. |
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| Keywords: | back squat bench press attentional focus |
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