PhD Study : Does an external focus of attention improve movement economy during running? A replication of Hill et al. (2017)

Summary

Background to the project:

The extant literature on attentional focus and psychological techniques have highlighted the impact of psychological strategies on endurance performance (for reviews see Brick et al., 2014 and McCormick et al., 2015). Specific to running, many studies have experimentally demonstrated that a runner’s focus of attention can help to improve running economy – one of the main physiological factors related to success in prolonged running events such as marathons (Brick et al., 2018; Moore, 2016). In fact, the effects of various attentional strategies, such as focusing on bodily sensations (e.g., feelings of effort), directing attention toward the surrounding environment, or toward one’s own moments can each exert an influence on running economy (e.g., Schücker et al, 2014; Schücker et al., 2016).

Despite these findings, recent research has highlighted a replication crisis in the field of psychology, where many “established” effects have not been replicated in subsequent investigations. Large scale replication projects have been undertaken in psychology by, among others, the Many Labs Project (e.g., Klein et al., 2014). These projects ignited the debate on the replication crisis in social science due to their difficulty in replicating selected effects and the variability in results. Similar replication attempts have not been undertaken within the related fields of sport science and sport psychology to date, however. The replicability of sports psychology research has yet to be examined despite the identification of concerns within the field (e.g., Halperin et al., 2018).

As a result, the present study is part of a larger replication project, the overall goal of which is to sample a range of topics in an unbiased manner across the fields of sports psychology and sport science for an initial estimation of the replicability of those findings.

Objectives of the research:

As it is essential to run multiple independent experiments to determine if findings in sports psychology and science have a consistent and accurate pattern, and are strongly supported, the proposed study is one of many studies to be replicated.

The object of this research is to attempt to replication of Hill et al. (2017). Evidence for an External Focus of Attention in Running: Looking at Specific Focus Instructions and Individual Differences. In that study, 30 recreational runners performed four 6-minute runs on a laboratory treadmill at a moderate intensity. Each run consisted of one of four attentional focus conditions. These were (a) focusing on one’s running movement, (b) focusing on perceptions of effort, (c) focusing externally on a running-related stimulus (video of an outdoor running track), and (d) a control condition consisting of one’s normal attentional focus. The results revealed a significantly better running economy for the external focus of attention condition compared with all other conditions.

Methods to be used:

For this replication study, a total of 45 adult, recreational runners will be recruited. Inclusion criteria are that participants are healthy and free from injury, should be able to run continuously for at least 30 minutes, and should be familiar with running on a treadmill. Each participant will complete two experimental sessions, each lasting approximately 1 hour, carried out on different days within a one-to-two-week period.

In session 1, following some pre-experimental measures of demographic data and resting heart rate, participants will complete a heartbeat perception task as a measure of interception (i.e., in this instance, awareness of internal body signals such as heartbeat). Then, after a 5-minute warm up, participants will complete a 1000m run on an outdoor track as fast as possible. This will serve as a reference time to calculate 60% of their speed for the running task in the second experimental session. Data on participants attentional focus and perceived effort will be gathered after the 1000m run. Finally, participants will complete a second heartbeat perception task after the 1000m run.

In session 2, participants will complete a treadmill running task in an exercise laboratory. Following a warm-up, participants will run for a total of 24 minutes, segmented into 6-minute blocks, at 60% of their average 1000m running speed measured during session one. During each 6-minute block, participants will be instructed to focus their attention on one of four attentional focus conditions and conditions will be completed in a counterbalanced order. During the 24-minute running trial, participants respiratory gas exchange will be continuously measured using a cardiopulmonary exercise testing system (Cosmed Quark CPET), to determine participants running economy during each 6-min block. Participants’ perceived effort and attentional focus will also be measured for each condition.

Skills required of applicant:

Knowledge of sport and exercise psychology research relevant to the subject domain.

Knowledge and experience of experimental research methods is desirable.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

Funding and eligibility