Focusing of visual attention under submaximal physical load

This study investigated the focusing of visual attention, with and without, a constant submaximal workload (60% VO2max), on a cycloergometer in two experiments. Two main dimensions of attentional focusing were considered: the space/object‐based dimension and the exogenous/endogenous dimension. These dimensions were investigated by means of the following attention task: A cue of varying size was presented centrally and followed, after a variable interval, by a compound letter with global and local features. Participants were required to react to a predefined target letter, which could be either the global form or one of the local elements of the compound letter. Results confirm the effect of reaction time (RT) reduction under submaximal workloads. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the physical load reduces the RT cost, which has to be paid when a misleading cue causes a disadvantageous focusing of attention. This effect of physical load is presumably mediated by increased allocation of attentional resources and enhanced speed of attentional refocusing. This interpretation is discussed both in terms of the type of attentional operations involved (zooming in vs. zooming out) and the type of control exerted on the attentional focusing (exogenous vs. endogenous).