The Role of Conscious Control Propensity in Determining the Effects of Attentional Foci instructions

In this research, we investigated the role of conscious control propensity in determining the effects of attentional foci on performance and learning of basketball accuracy pass in children (10-12 years old).

To determine the children’s conscious control propensity, the Movement Specific Reinvestment Scale was used. Seventy-two children in two high and low conscious control groups that each group divided to three sub-groups (internal, external, and control) entered the acquisition and transfer and retention tests in the basketball accuracy pass task.

The results showed that during the acquisition period, low and high conscious control propensity did not have any effect. Though there was a significant interaction between conscious control propensity and attentional foci in transfer and retention tests, but the main effects were not significant.

Based on these results, children's motor learning is more effective when the instructions for attentional foci suited their natural tendencies.