Plain language summary
For over 20 years, the effects of attentional focus on motor learning have been explored. Several muscular qualities are important when discussing resistance exercise, including muscular endurance. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis examining the effects of external focus vs. internal focus vs. control on muscular endurance. This study is a meta-analysis of five studies. The pooled number of participants among the included studies was 141 (24 females and 117 males). Results indicate that adopting an external focus of attention enhances muscular endurance. These performance-enhancing effects of external focus were found when comparing both with an internal focus and control condition. However, there was no significant difference between the internal focus and control conditions. Authors conclude that individuals should use an external focus of attention for acute enhancement of muscular endurance.
Abstract
Several studies explored the effects of attentional focus on resistance exercise, but their analysed outcomes most commonly involved surface electromyography variables. Therefore, the effects of attentional focus on resistance exercise performance remain unclear. The aim of this review was to perform a meta-analysis examining the acute effects of external focus vs. internal focus vs. control on muscular endurance. Five databases were searched to find relevant studies. The data were pooled in a random-effects meta-analysis. In the analysis for external vs. internal focus of attention, there were seven comparisons with 14 study groups. In the analyses for external focus vs. control and internal focus vs. control, there were six comparisons with 12 study groups. An external focus of attention enhanced muscular endurance when compared with an internal focus (Cohen's d: 0.58; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.34 and 0.82) and control (Cohen's d: 0.42; 95% CI: 0.08 and 0.76). In the analysis for internal focus vs. control, there was no significant difference between the conditions (Cohen's d: -0.19; 95% CI: -0.45 and 0.07). Generally, these results remained consistent in the subgroup analyses for upper-body vs. lower-body exercises. From a practical perspective, the results presented in this review suggest that individuals should use an external focus of attention for acute enhancement of muscular endurance.
Methodological quality
Jadad score
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