An external focus of attention is effective for balance control when sleep-deprived

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Nathaniel T. Berry (Creator)
Jennifer L. Etnier, Professor (Creator)
Louisa D. Raisbeck, Assistant Professor (Creator)
Alexis B. Slutsky (Creator)
Laurie Wideman, Safrit-Ennis Distinguished Professor (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: The purpose of our study was to examine if the beneficial effects of an external focus are effective for balance control when sleep-deprived. Sleep-deprived participants (27 hours awake) completed three blocks of five separate 30 second trials on a dynamic balance board. All participants were given internal, external, and control instruction. For the internal focus trials, participants focused on their feet; whereas, for the external focus trials, participants focused on the balance board. Participants’ time in balance was significantly greater during the external focus compared to the internal focus and control. These findings suggest that external focus instructions are effective when participants are sleep-deprived.

Additional Information

Publication
International Journal of Exercise Science 11(5): 84-94
Language: English
Date: 2018
Keywords
Sleep-deprivation, balance, external focus, internal focus

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