The Effects of Open and Closed Skills on Athletes’ Attention Types

Background: Open and closed skills require different instructional training in regard to environment. Typical closed skills include diving, race swimming, and gymnastics, whereas open skills are those that are practiced in the changing world. Multiple cognitive processes are activated during both open and closed motor behavior, such as working memory, speed of information, and attention. Attention especially affects athletes' memory and cognitive processes. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of skill type (open and closed) and gender on two different attention types (selective and sustained) in athletes. Methods: The study sample consisted of 40 subjects who were divided into three groups: 10 gymnasts (representing closed skills) purposely selected from the Jordan Gymnastics Federation; 10 non-athletes (representing open skills); and 20 fencers (also representing open skills). The Leiter International Performance Scale (Leiter-3) was used to evaluate the two attention types.