year 6, Issue 2 (Summer 2018)                   Ann Appl Sport Sci 2018, 6(2): 55-60 | Back to browse issues page


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Fathi Khatab S, Ghasemi A, Mousavi Sadati S K. The Effect of Focus Instructions on Dart Throwing Performance in Children With and Without Developmental Coordination Disorder. Ann Appl Sport Sci 2018; 6 (2) :55-60
URL: http://aassjournal.com/article-1-553-en.html
1- Motor Behavior Department, Physical Education Faculty, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2- Motor Behavior Department, Physical Education Faculty, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran , a_gh_m2003@yahoo.com
3- Motor Behavior Department, Physical Education Faculty, East Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract:   (6051 Views)
Background. Adults benefit more from an external focus than internal focus when performing motor skills.
Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of internal and external focus of attention on dart throwing performance in children with and without developmental coordination disorder.
Methods. Twenty men, 20 normal boys and 20 boys with developmental coordination disorder were selected by Motor Observation Questionnaire for Teachers. The task was to throw the darts to the target which was performed in two experimental conditions including internal (related to the movements of the fingers and arm) and external (related to target and dart’s course) focus of attention.
Results. The results of ANOVA with repeated measures indicated that along with Constrained Action Hypothesis, adults performed better in the 
condition of external focus of attention. However, for normal children, the use of the internal focus of attention was more effective and in children with developmental coordination disorder, no significant difference between the two conditions was found.
Conclusion. According to results of this study, therapists and coaches should adjust their methods and instructions based on age, experience and developmental conditions of individuals.
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APPLICABLE REMARKS

• For adults, instructions on the 
external focus of attention result in more effective performance.
• For children, instructions on the 
internal focus of attention result in more effective performance.
• Children with DCD need repeated instructions related to both types of internal and external focus of attention during the 
execution of the task.

Type of Study: Original Article | Subject: Motor Control and its Related Branches
Received: 2017/07/19 | Accepted: 2017/09/21

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