Research demonstrates that giving your clients an external focus during an exercise is most effective for enhancing which type of movement?

An external focus during exercise refers to directing a client’s attention to the effects of their movement in the environment rather than on their own body or mechanics. Research in sports science consistently shows that an external focus enhances performance, particularly in complex movements, which often require coordination and timing.

Complex movements, such as those found in agility drills, Olympic lifts, or intricate motor skills, involve multiple joints and muscle groups working together. By focusing on the outcome, such as pushing the ground away or hitting a target, clients can move more fluidly and efficiently. This creates a natural alignment and optimizes the coordination of their movements.

Using an external focus can reduce cognitive load, allowing the body’s natural motor patterns to emerge more easily without overthinking the mechanics of the movement. As the nervous system becomes streamlined in processing these cues, clients often exhibit improved performance in complex tasks, leading to enhanced results during their workouts or athletic performance.

Although fundamental, simple, and isolated movements are important in training and rehabilitation, they do not benefit from the same level of enhanced performance through external focus as complex movements do. The intricacies and demands of complex movements provide the ideal context to fully leverage the advantages of an external focus.