Introduction When physical activity becomes more intense, attentional focus is increasingly drawn inward as one starts to monitor internal bodily processes and strive to maintain on-task effort. However, actively focusing on internal processes may also increase awareness of sensations of fatigue and reduce performance when it counts the most. The present study tested whether it is possible to maintain a more external (dissociative) focus of attention under a high intensity workload and examined the extent to which this may reduce sensations of fatigue and improve performance in a maximal running time trial. Methods Twenty one runners (7 male, 15 female) of varying experience completed a 15 minute maximal running time trial under different (within-subject) attentional focus instructions, including: `association` (e.g., breathing, running movement); `dissociation` (e.g., surroundings); and control (no instruction). During the time trial, an innovative smartphone running application called `PsyqRun` was used to provide an ambulatory (online) assessment of: (i) runners` thoughts and attentional focus (i.e., % associative statements vs. % dissociative statements); (ii) perceived level of fatigue (0-10); and (iii) running performance (distance in meters, based on GPS recordings). To analyze effects of exercise intensity (low vs. high) a comparison was made between the first and second half of the time trial. Results The percentage of dissociative statements differed significantly between each of the attentional instruction conditions (i.e., association: 19%, dissociation: 89%, control: 55%; F(2,40)= 61.62, p < .001) and did not change significantly over time (i.e., first half compared to second half), indicating that the manipulation of attention was successful and could be maintained throughout the duration of the run. Finally, although no significant differences were observed regarding performance, it appeared that sensations of fatigue were significantly lower in the dissociation condition (5.2) than in the association (5.8) and control conditions (6.0), with F(2,40) = 3.80, p = .037. Discussion In sum, results show that a dissociative focus of attention can be maintained under high levels of exercise intensity, and may significantly reduce sensations of fatigue. Future studies should examine how specific attentional instructions may differentially impact fatigue and performance in runners with different levels of experience and motives (e.g. recreational vs. competitive). Future research using innovative measurement techniques may elucidate potential relations between attention, fatigue and variations in running technique.
© Copyright 2014 19th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Amsterdam, 2. - 5. July 2014. Veröffentlicht von VU University Amsterdam. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.