Video Version
Internal vs. External Focus of Attention
An internal focus means that the person is thinking about their body movements when they are executing a motor skill. An external focus means that they are thinking about the desired result of the movement when they are performing a motor skill.
External Focus Is Key
I get asked all the time, "Is there a time and a place for an internal focus?" The answer is "no." Hundreds of papers have been published, and hundreds have demonstrated very clearly that no matter what you're doing, you want people to focus externally.
Skill Acquisition
Create practice environments that best reflect competition environments. Look at what the competition environment's gonna look like, then from there, reverse engineer to try to create practice situations or practice environments that best resemble that testing environment.
Timestamp
1:03 — Differences Between Interval vs. External Focus
4:12 — Heart Rate & Focus of Attention
7:33 — Imagery & Focus of Attention
10:01 — Coaching Cues & Focus of Attention
12:32 — Environment & Focus of Attention
17:05 — Practical Implications
25:18 — Current Projects
26:45 — ChatGPT in Academia
30:05 — Book Recommendations
Resources
Research Paper #1: Heart Rate is Distinctly Influenced by Complexity of Instructions and Direction of Attentional Focus
Research Paper #2: The Effects of Using Imagery to Elicit an External Focus of Attention
Research Paper #3: Focus of Attention and Verbal Instructions: Strategies of Elite Track and Field Coaches and Athletes
Research Paper #4: No Fans, No Problem: An Investigation of Audience Effects on Shooting Performance in Professional Basketball
Book Recommendation #1: Mastery by Robert Greene
Book Recommendation #2: Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
Book Recommendation #3: Where the Deer and the Antelope Play: The Pastoral Observations of One Ignorant American Who Loves to Walk Outside
Book Recommendation #4: Good Clean Fun: Misadventures in Sawdust at Offerman Woodshop
About Dr. Jared Porter
Dr. Porter’s research investigates how humans learn/re-learn motor skills and how the human nervous system generates skillful movements. He is primarily interested in determining how factors such as virtual/augmented reality, engineered practice, human factors, skill level, cognitive load, decision making, and focusing of attention interact with motor skill learning and performance. His research has practical applications to various settings such as military/tactical mission planning and performance, patient rehabilitation, coaching education, competitive sport settings, and occupational training venues. He is an active member of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). He is currently an editorial board member for the Journal of Motor Learning and Development and the International Journal of Motor Control and Learning. His research has been funded by federal, state, and local agencies within the United States of America and abroad.
Motor Learning w/ Dr. Jared Porter (Part 2)