Publications

Selected OPTIMAL Publications

OPTIMAL Review Papers

Wulf, G., & Lewthwaite, R. (2016). Optimizing Performance through Intrinsic Motivation and Attention for Learning: The OPTIMAL theory of motor learning. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 23, 1382-1414.

Wulf, G., & Lewthwaite, R. (2021). Translating thoughts in action: Optimizing motor performance and learning through brief motivational and attentional influences. Current Directions in Psychology, 30, 535-541.

Lewthwaite, R., & Wulf, G. (2017). Optimizing motivation and attention for motor performance and learning. Current Opinion in Psychology, 16, 38-42.

Wulf, G. (2021). Motor performance. In French, D., & Torres Ronda, L. (Eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Sport Science (p. 421-229). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Wulf, G., & Lewthwaite, R. (2019). OPTIMAL theory. In Hackfort, D., Schinke, R., & Strauss, B (Eds.), Dictionary of Sport Psychology. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier.

Wulf, G., Orr, S., Chauvel, G., & Lewthwaite, R. (2018). Optimizing golf skill learning. The PGA Professional, 14, 51-53.

Wulf, G., Orr, S., & Chauvel, G. (2017). Optimizing golf skill learning. In M. Toms (Ed.), The Routledge International Handbook of Golf Science (p. 88-97). London: Routledge.

Wulf, G. (2019). Optimal Bewegung lernen. Physiopraxis (1), 32-35.

Wulf, G. (2018). Die OPTIMAL-Theorie motorischen Lernens: Implikationen für die physiotherapeutische Praxis. pt_Zeitschrift für Physiotherapeuten, 70, 37-42.

“Optimizing” Performance and Learning Conditions

Khalaji, Z., Alhosseini, M. N., Hamami, S. S., Iwatsuki, T., & Wulf., G. (2024). Optimizing motor learning in older adults. Journal of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 79, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbad120.

An, J., Chua, L.-K., & Wulf, G. (2021). Optimizing golf putting. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 19, 882-894.

Abdollahipour, R., Valtr, L., & Wulf, G. (2020). Optimizing performance in bowling. Journal of Motor Learning and Development, 8, 233-244.

Chua, L.-K., Wulf, G., & Lewthwaite, R. (2020). Choose your words wisely: Optimizing impacts on standardized performance testing. Gait & Posture, 79, 210-216.

Singh, H., Hockwald, A., Drake, N., Avedesian, J., Lee, S.-P., & Wulf, G. (2020). Maximal force production requires OPTIMAL conditions. Human Movement Science, 73. 

Chua, L.-K., Wulf, G., & Lewthwaite, R. (2018). Onward and upward: Optimizing motor performance. Human Movement Science, 60, 107-114.

Wulf, G., Lewthwaite, R., Cardozo, P., & Chiviacowsky, S. (2018). Triple play: Additive contributions of enhanced expectancies, autonomy support, and external attentional focus to motor learning. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 71, 824-831.

Promoting an External Focus of Attention

An, J., & Wulf, G. (2024). Golf skill learning: An external focus of attention enhances performance and motivation. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 70, 102563.

Singh, H., Shih, H.-T., Kal, E., Bennett, T. B., & Wulf, G. (2022). A distal external focus of attention facilitates compensatory coordination of body parts. Journal of Sports Sciences, 40, 2284-2291.

Singh, H., & Wulf, G. (2022). Mind over body: Creating an external focus for sport skills. European Journal for Sport Science, 22, 610-616.

Chua, L.-K., Jimenez-Diaz, J., Lewthwaite, R., Kim, T., & Wulf, G. (2021). Superiority of external attentional focus for motor performance and learning: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Psychological Bulletin, 147, 618-645.

Wulf, G. (2021). A winning edge for the Olympics and everyday life: Focusing on what you’re trying to accomplish rather than what’s going on with your body. The Conversation, July 23.

Wulf, G., & Lucash, G. (2021). Optimizing figure skating performance – Part 2. The Professional Skater – PS Magazine, March/April, 10-13.

Banks, S. D., Sproul, J., Higgins, P., & Wulf, G. (2020). Forward thinking: When a distal external focus makes you faster. Human Movement Science.

Singh, H., & Wulf, G. (2020). The distance effect and level of expertise: Is the optimal external focus different for novices and experts? Human Movement Science, 73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2020.102663

Wulf, G., & Lewthwaite, R. (2020). Optimizing attentional focus. In G. Tenenbaum & R. C. Eklund (Eds.), Handbook of Sport Psychology (4th ed.) (p. 653-665), John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ.

Chua, L.-K., Dimapilis, M. K., Iwatsuki, T., Abdollahipour, R., Lewthwaite, R., & Wulf, G. (2019). Practice variability promotes an external focus of attention and enhances motor skill learning. Human Movement Science, 64, 307-319.

Mornell, A., & Wulf, G. (2019). External focus of attention enhances musical performance. Journal of Research in Music Education, 66, 375-391.

Wulf, G. (2019). Attentional focus (external versus internal). In Hackfort, D., Schinke, R., & Strauss, B. (Eds.), Dictionary of Sport Psychology. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier.

Abdollahipour, R., Palomo Nieto, M., Psotta, R., & Wulf, G. (2017). External focus of attention and autonomy support have additive benefits for motor performance in children. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 32, 17-24.

Guss-West, C., & Wulf, G. (2016). Attentional focus in classical ballet: A survey of professional dancers. Journal of Dance Medicine & Science, 20, 23-29. 

Halperin, I., & Wulf, G. (2016). The science of combat – Part 1: Instruction psychology. Blitz – Australian Martial Arts Magazine, 30, 80-82. 

Abdollahipour, R., Wulf, G., Psotta, R., & Palomo Nieto, M. (2015). Performance of a gymnastics skill benefits from an external focus of attention. Journal of Sports Sciences, 33, 1807-1813.

Pascua, L.A.M., Wulf, G., & Lewthwaite, R. (2015). Additive benefits of external focus and enhanced performance expectancy for motor learning. Journal of Sports Sciences, 33, 58-66. 

Wulf, G., Chiviacowsky, S., & Drews, R. (2015). External focus and autonomy support: Two important factors in motor learning have additive benefits. Human Movement Science, 40, 176-184. 

Enhancing Expectancies

Martinez, V. M., Cardozo, P., Kaefer, A., Wulf, G., & Chiviacowsky, S. (2024). Positive feedback enhances motivation and skill learning in adolescents. Learning and Motivation, 86, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lmot.2024.101966.

Wulf, G., & Lucash, G. (2021). Optimizing figure skating performance – Part 1. The Professional Skater – PS Magazine, January/February, 10-13.

Wehlmann, J. A., & Wulf, G. (2020). Bullseye: Effects of autonomy support and enhanced expectancies on dart throwing. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching.

Montes, J., Wulf, G., & Navalta, J. W. (2018). Maximal aerobic capacity can be increased by enhancing performers’ expectancies. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 58, 744-749.

Bahmani, M., Wulf, G., Ghadiri, F., & Karimi, S., & Lewthwaite, R. (2017). Enhancing performance expectancies through visual illusions facilitates motor learning in children. Human Movement Science, 55, 1-7. 

Halperin, I., & Wulf, G. (2016). The science of coaching instruction in martial arts – Part 2. Blitz – Australian Martial Arts Magazine, 30 (3), 41-42. 

Palmer, K., Chiviacowsky, S., & Wulf, G. (2016). Enhanced expectancies facilitate golf putting. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 22, 229-232. 

Chauvel, G., Wulf, G., & Maquestiaux, F. (2015). Enhanced expectancies resulting from visual illusions can facilitate sport skill learning. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 22, 717-721.

Pascua, L.A.M., Wulf, G., & Lewthwaite, R. (2015). Additive benefits of external focus and enhanced performance expectancy for motor learning. Journal of Sports Sciences, 33, 58-66. 

Providing Autonomy Support

Iwatsuki, T., Shih, H.-T., Abdollahipour, R., & Wulf, G. (2021). More bang for the buck: Autonomy support increases muscular efficiency. Psychological Research, 85, 439-445.

Wehlmann, J. A., & Wulf, G. (2020). Bullseye: Effects of autonomy support and enhanced expectancies on dart throwing. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching.

An, J., Lewthwaite, R., Lee, S., & Wulf, G. (2020). Choice of practice-task order enhances golf skill learning. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2020.101737

Iwatsuki, T., Navalta, J., & Wulf, G. (2019). Autonomy enhances running efficiency. Journal of Sports Sciences, 37, 685-691.

Halperin, I., Wulf, G., Vigotsky, A., Schoenfeld, B. J., & Behm, D. G. (2018). Autonomy: The missing ingredient of a successful program? Strength and Conditioning Journal, 40, 18-25.

Wulf, G., Iwatsuki, T., Machin, B., Kellogg, J., Copeland, C., & Lewthwaite, R. (2018). Lassoing motor learning through task-irrelevant or task-relevant choices. Journal of Motor Behavior, 50, 285-292.

Abdollahipour, R., Palomo Nieto, M., Psotta, R., & Wulf, G. (2017). External focus of attention and autonomy support have additive benefits for motor performance in children. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 32, 17-24.

Iwatsuki, T., Abdollahipour, R., Psotta, R., Lewthwaite, R., & Wulf, G. (2017). Autonomy facilitates repeated maximum force productions. Human Movement Science, 55, 264-268.

Lemos, A., Wulf, G., Lewthwaite, R., & Chiviacowsky, S. (2017). Autonomy support enhances performance expectancies, positive affect, and motor learning. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 31, 28-34.

Halperin, I., Chapman, D. T., Martin, D. T., Lewthwaite, R., & Wulf, G. (2017). Choices enhance punching performance of competitive kickboxers. Psychological Research, 81, 1051-1058.

Halperin, I., & Wulf, G. (2016). The science of coaching instruction in martial arts – Part 3. Blitz – Australian Martial Arts Magazine, 30 (4), 40-42.

Lewthwaite, R., Chiviacowsky, S., Drews, R., & Wulf, G. (2015). Choose to move: The motivational impact of autonomy support on motor learning. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 22, 1383-1388. 

Wulf, G., Chiviacowsky, S., & Drews, R. (2015). External focus and autonomy support: Two important factors in motor learning have additive benefits. Human Movement Science, 40, 176-184.