Study: The Effects of Music and a Coxswain on Attentional Focus, Perceived Exertion, Motivation, and Performance During a 1,000 m Ergometer Rowing Sprint.

Abstract:

Music has often been portrayed as a dissociative (i.e., distracting) mechanism. This study demonstrates that music may not be unifunctional in regards to attentional focus; that is, external concentration on music can coexist with task-relevant thoughts. Female intercollegiate rowers (N =26) performed four 1,000msprints on a rowing ergometer at maximal effort under music, coxswain, combined music and coxswain, and control conditions. Findings indicate that during the 1,000 m rowing sprint, both external and task-relevant dimensions of attentional focus can exist simultaneously. This implies a new consideration of music as either dissociative or associative based on task-related factors.

 

Author: Nicole Gabana, M.A.

Nicole is currently attending Indiana University, where she is close to finishing her doctoral program. Her research interests include the integration of positive psychology with sport psychology. A former collegiate rower, Nicole understands the lifestyle and difficulties facing collegiate athletes and has spent her academic career focused on how she can help.

Links:

Author: [email protected]

Article: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10413200.2014.993775