Attentional focus and eye-blink rate: Examination of execution focus models by using fore hand stroke and smash shot in table tennis

In sports, we use “external attention” that means attention to visual or auditory stimulus, and “internal attention” that attempts to monitor or control ones movement. Athletes skillfully change their attention focus during games, but there is currently no certain method of checking the focus of attention objectively. So in this study, we used eye-blink rate which is considered to be related to the focus of attention as an indicator. The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference of eye-blink rates, psychological factors, and movement when we use external attention or internal attention. Eleven table tennis athletes (M=4, F=7) participated in this study. They were asked to hit the balls with a fore hand stroke or a smash shot, to aim the target area of table tennis by using external or internal attention. The results of the analysis showed that there is a tendency of the increase of eye blinks on the internal attention. Concerning movement, the flying distance of the ball became longer when they use external attention, because their arms extend and their body bent forward more. By using internal attention, performance became clumsier and smaller than when they used external attention. It is expected that we cannot recognize accurate distances to the target when they use internal attention, so there is a difference on the flying distance of the ball