A recent study suggests an eye trick could enhance the speed of runners. No additional equipment or effort is needed. "This gives a cheap and easy way to get better at running—just by changing where we look," stated Dr. Shana Cole of Rutgers University, who co-authored the study. Dr. Cole specializes in psychology. This research had six individual tests, which included interviews with professional and amateur runners about their practices. It seems that the more advanced and speedier runners utilize something the experts call "attentional narrowing" much more than the beginners or slower ones. This means they fix their gaze on a singular distant object like the finish line and do not pay attention to what surrounds them.
"Making your focus sharp is a brain method, not just something you do when tired," Dr. Emily Balcetis, a psychology expert from New York University and main writer of the study, explained. To test what the survey found, the team asked runners to change their focus—either broad or narrow—during a 400 m or mile run.
In two tests, runners maintained their focus throughout the entirety of the test. In the third test, focus was mitigated towards the beginning, while the end gathered more focus. One test also monitored heart rates prior to and during the runs to see how much exertion the athletes were putting in. In all cases, runners who maintained focus and predominantly kept their gaze fixed to the front performed better than those who did not. Because their gaze was fixed, their heart rate relative to the effort supplied was high for a prolonged period of time, suggesting that compared to those who looked around, they were able to exercise more. "The studies show that keeping attention sharp not just goes with performance—it truly boosts it," said Dr. Corey Guenther from Creighton University, one of the co-authors of the study.
Not a runner? Don't stress—this method aids in walking, too. In another study, Balcetis found that walkers who aimed at a target like a building ahead felt that the distance was shorter than those who looked about as they walked and thus felt it took less time to complete. This change could lower the perceived effort of starting for those who are heavier. More work from Balcetis' lab says they see distances as longer compared to those of normal weight, especially when they don't feel like working out.
"It's not just 'focused sight'—it's a tool that helps you get past hard times," Balcetis said. "Just changing how and where you look when doing a hard job can make your work and results better." Studies show about half of US grown-ups meet the CDC's weekly plan of 150 minutes of light fast walking, and even less meet the goals for muscle work. This is a bigger deal than it seems.
Making walking and running seem easier might be what Americans need to start moving, researchers say.