Examining the time course of attention in a soccer kick using a dual task paradigm
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Brendan M. Carr (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
- Advisor
- Jennifer Etnier
Abstract: A dual-task paradigm was implemented to determine the time course of attention demands of a soccer penalty kick. A sample of experienced soccer players was selected to participate in the study. Participants (N= 15) were asked to perform a 12-yard soccer-style penalty kick into a FIFA-regulation soccer goal that was divided into smaller scoring zones. As part of the dual task paradigm, participants were instructed to respond to an audible cue that was administered during one of three probe positions (PP) during the primary task. Tests were performed with both the dominant foot (DFP) and the non-dominant foot (NDFP). The order of presentation of the tasks and of the probe positions was randomized and counterbalanced. I hypothesized that the Verbal Response Reaction Time (VRRT) would follow the pattern observed in previous research conducted with other sport skills. Reaction times would be slowest at the beginning and end of the performance of the motor skill in both the DFP and NDFP situations. I also hypothesized that overall VRRT would be slower in the NDFP than DFP, but that kicking foot would not affect the pattern of attentional demands. Results indicated that VRRT was slowest at PP1 for both the DFP and the NDFP and that VRRT was significantly slower at PP1 for the DFP than for the NDFP. This suggests that soccer players may engage in more complex planning during the preparatory phases when executing a kick with their dominant foot or, alternatively, that the determinant of attentional demands is the support foot rather than the kicking foot. Future research should be designed to further our understanding of foot dominance with regard to kicking and to explore attentional demands of striking tasks.
Examining the time course of attention in a soccer kick using a dual task paradigm
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Created on 8/1/2010
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- Language: English
- Date: 2010
- Keywords
- Foot Dominance, Soccer Kick, Time Course of Attention
- Subjects
- Soccer $x Psychological aspects.
- Attention.
- Foot $x Movements.