End-point focus of attention: Learning the 'Catch' in Rowing

Initial research evidence suggests that learners may benefit from focussing their attention upon the demonstrated movement of a distal point of an action, also known as end-point trajectory matching. In the present study, verbal instructions were used by rowing coaches to promote either an end-point focus (i.e., the oar blade) or an internal focus of attention (i.e., the rowers movements) amongst novice learners. The goal for the learners was to practice and improve the 'catch, which is the instant that the blade of the oar enters and locks onto the water The learners were coached in 24 training sessions over a six-week period, they then rowed in retention and transfer tests seven weeks later. The End-point group showed improvements in technique (i.e., more effective and efficient oar placement in the water) at the end of the skill acquisition period and also in retention and transfer conditions. The Internal group did not show the same level of improvement by the end of the acquisition phase but did demonstrate some improvements by the retention and transfer tests. This study suggests that paying attention to the end point is beneficial for novices learning complex, whole body movements (such as rowing) as well as for relatively simple, precision tasks.