External Focus or Differential Learning: Is There an Additive Effect on Learning a Futsal Goal Kick?

Sara Oftadeh, Abbas Bahram, Rasoul Yaali, Farhad Ghadiri and Wolfgang I. Schöllhorn
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Sara Oftadeh: Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Kharazmi University of Tehran, Tehran 14155-6455, Iran
Abbas Bahram: Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Kharazmi University of Tehran, Tehran 14155-6455, Iran
Rasoul Yaali: Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Kharazmi University of Tehran, Tehran 14155-6455, Iran
Farhad Ghadiri: Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Kharazmi University of Tehran, Tehran 14155-6455, Iran
Wolfgang I. Schöllhorn: Department for Training and Movement Science, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 19, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: (1) Background: How to optimally promote the process of acquiring and learning a new motor skill is still one of the fundamental questions often raised in training and movement science, rehabilitation, and physical education. This study is aimed at investigating the effects of differential learning (DL) and the elements of OPTIMAL theory on learning a goal-kicking skill in futsal, especially under the conditions of external and internal foci. (2) Methods: A total of 40 female beginners were randomly assigned to, and equally distributed among, five different interventions. Within a pretest and post-test design, with retention and transfer tests, participants practiced for 12 weeks, involving two 20-min sessions per week. The tests involved a kicking skill test. Data were analyzed with a one-way ANOVA. (3) Results: Statistically significant differences with large effect sizes were found between differential learning (DL) with an external focus, DL with an internal focus, DL with no focus, traditional training with an external focus, and traditional training with control groups in the post-, retention, and transfer tests. (4) Conclusions: The results indicate the clear advantages of DL. It is well worth putting further efforts into investigating a more differentiated application of instructions combined with exercises for DL.

Keywords: differential learning; OPTIMAL theory; external focus; motor learning; futsal (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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