An Examination of the Effects of Mindfulness and Task-Relevant Attentional Focus on Running Performance

<p>The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effect of mindfulness and task-relevant attentional focus on running performance. WKU psychology undergraduate students were assigned to one of two conditions: task-relevant attentional focus experimental training and no training control. Participants in the experimental condition received training designed to optimize the use of attentional focus strategies in a running context. Trait level mindfulness was examined as a covariate. Participants were compared on two mile run times and the use of attentional focus strategies. Differences were expected to reveal the effectiveness of the training by showing faster running times in the experimental group, and higher use of task-relevant attentional focus strategies. Only higher use of task-relevant attentional focus strategies, specifically focus on bodily sensation was supported by the data. Explanations of the results as well as exploratory analyses are provided in addition to suggestions for future research.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts in Experimental Psychology

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Department of Psychology

Year

2011

Author dc:creator

• Atchley, Anthony R.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Steven Wininger (Director), Dr. Anthony Paquin, Dr. Andrew Mienaltowski

• self-management
• self-control
• sports performance
• Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills (KIMS)
• athletic performance
• Clinical Psychology
• Cognition and Perception

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/1069

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.wku.edu:theses-2071