Effect of Secondary Task on the Basketball Free Throw Accuracy on Choking under Pressure Skilled players

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of secondary task relevant and non-relevant to the free throw basketball skill on the free throw accuracy of basketball skilled players in choking under pressure. Twenty right-handed female players (aged 18-30) each with at least three years of experience in basketball took part study after completing the Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT), Annett Handedness Questionnaire (AHQ) and measuring their anthropometric characteristics. The study included two testing sessions with an interval of 2 days. In the first and second session (no-pressure and high pressure, respectively) participants warmed up and performed 10 free throws in three conditions: 1) free throw, 2) free throw with relevant secondary task, 3) free throw with non-relevant secondary task. Results showed that the secondary relevant and non-relevant tasks to free throw have effects on accuracy in no-pressure (P=0.012, P=0.001) and high pressure (P=0.001, P=0.018) conditions. Also, there was significant differences between relevant and non-relevant tasks effects on accuracy in high pressure situation (P=0.001). Overall, it may be used the secondary relevant and non-relevant tasks in choking under pressure situations for reduction of pressure imposed on athletes. Also, properly designed secondary tasks for free throw may be used to increase the accuracy of skilled participants under the pressure situations.