Attentional Focus Intensity Level of Expertise Diana Gieske

Attentional Focus, Intensity, & Level of Expertise Diana Gieske, M. Abo, D. Strupp, S. Wininger

Overview Ø Introduction to Attentional Focus Ø Quick Synopsis of Literature Ø Current Study

What is Attentional Focus? Ø Attention: the allocation of cognitive resources. Ø Attentional Focus: l l “Association” - attention focused on the body; internal focus. “Dissociation” – attention focused on anything apart from the body and internal sensations; external focus. • (Morgan & Pollock, 1977)

Why Study AF? Ø Benefits of exercise Ø Exercise adherence l The use of a specified cognitive strategy may: • • Decrease perceptions of exertion and pain Enhance enjoyment Increase duration of the exercise sessions Increase intensity of exercise

Terminology Issues Ø “Dissociation” has a pathological connotation Ø Runners’ thoughts are too complex to simply dichotomize Ø Stevinson and Biddle (1998) 2 X 2 model of Attentional Focus l Task-Relevant/Task-Irrelevant X Internal/External

Our Model of AF Internal Taskrelevant External Bodily sensations Task-relevant thoughts Task-relevant external cues Self-talk Taskirrelevant Task-irrelevant thoughts External distractions

Brief Summary of the Literature

AF & Performance Ø Correlational research: l l Marathoners associate (Masters & Lambert, 1989) Internal Task-Relevant focus is most beneficial for marathoners (Stevinson & Biddle, 1998)

AF & Performance (cont. ) Ø Experimental research: l Dissociation enhances performance for novices • Okwumabua, et al. , 1983; Pennebaker & Lightner, 1980 l Association enhances performance for experts • Scott, et al. , 1999; Connolly & Janelle, 2003.

Stages of Change Ø Pre-Contemplation & Contemplation Ø Preparation Ø Action Ø Maintenance

AF & Level of Intensity Ø Increases in intensity elicit Bodily Symptoms related to exercise, thereby inducing an Internal Task-Relevant focus (Rejeski, 1985; Tenenbaum, 2001). l l Few studies have manipulated intensity and measured changes in attentional focus; No studies have examined differences between participants according to the stages of change model.

Current Study

Current Study Ø How do intensity level and stage of change affect attentional focus? Ø 2 X 4 Design l l Moderate vs. Very Hard Intensity (Within) Pre-Contemplation/Contemplation, Preparation, Action, Maintenance (Between)

Participants Ø Introductory Psychology students and WKU Cross-Country team/soccer team l l Pre-Contemplation/Contemplation (N=14) Preparation (N=46) Action (N=42) Maintenance (N=41)

Methods Ø DV: l Attentional Focus Ø IV: l l Intensity (HR) • Moderate (50%) • Very hard (85%) Stages of Change

Measures Ø Heart rate measure l Biopac physiological equipment • Used a standard estimation equation to assign intensities Ø Attentional Focus measure l l Demographics Six categories of AF • Percentage of time focused on each

Procedure Ø Task: 15 minutes on treadmill Ø Day 1: Moderate intensity Ø Day 2: Very Hard intensity Ø Lab environment

Hypotheses Day 1: Moderate Intensity 1. 2. 3. Participants in the Pre. Contemplation/Contemplation stage will focus Contemplation significantly more on Bodily Sensations compared to participants in the other stages. Participants in the Maintenance stage will focus on both Bodily Sensations and Task-Irrelevant Thoughts/External Distractions significantly more than participants in the other stages. The focus of those in the Preparation and Action stages is unknown.

Hypotheses Day 2: Very Hard Intensity 4. All participants* will focus on Bodily Sensations significantly more when exercising at the high intensity compared to the moderate intensity. *Those in the Maintenance stage will be able to focus on both Bodily Sensations and Task-Irrelevant Thoughts/External Distractions.

Results

Main Effects for Intensity Level ηp 2 =. 087 ηp 2 =. 146 ηp 2 =. 143 ηp 2 =. 028 ηp 2 =. 175

Interaction Between Intensity Level and Stages of Change ηp 2 =. 054

Main Effect for Stages of Change ηp 2 =. 107

Summary Ø Increasing exercise intensity led to: l Increased focus on Bodily Sensations • Not for Pre-Contemplation/Contemplation l Decreased focus on Task-Irrelevant Thoughts and External Distractions

Summary Ø Self-talk was used significantly more during both intensities by participants in the Pre. Contemplation/Contemplation and Action stages compared to those in the Preparation and Maintenance stages.

Implications Ø What have I learned about influencing exercise adherence?

Thank You! Comments or Questions?