Attentional Stamina: The Sustained Attention of Expert and Novice Tennis Players
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Authors
Adalsteinsson, Tomas F.
Issue Date
2012
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Successful athletes are able to show extraordinary attentional abilities during their performance. Their attention has shown to be controlled by at least four sub-processes: attentional orienting, selective attention, divided attention, and sustained attention (Coull, 1998). So far, no study has been conducted examining sustained attention expertise in sports (Abernethy, 1993; Memmert, 2009). In this study, the sustained attention of 30 tennis players was tested using Connors' (2000) Continuous Performance Test II. The tennis players were split into two groups based on current skill level. Tennis players with NTRP ratings of 5.0 and higher were considered experts and players with 3.0 ratings and lower were considered novices. Out of the 12 variables measuring sustained attention significant difference at a < 0.05 was found between the groups on reaction time, variability, and sensitivity to interval change. There was also a trend towards experts making more commission errors and future studies should include more participants. Mindfulness practice was discussed as a possible intervention to build attentional stamina.