A new EEG neurofeedback training approach in sports: the effects function-specific instruction of Mu rhythm and visuomotor skill performance

IntroductionAchieving optimal visuomotor performance in precision sports relies on maintaining an optimal psychological state during motor preparation. To uncover the optimal psychological state, extensive EEG studies have established a link between the Mu rhythm (8–13 Hz at Cz) and cognitive resour...

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Main Authors: Kuo-Pin Wang, Ming-Yang Cheng, Hatem Elbanna, Thomas Schack
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1273186/full
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author Kuo-Pin Wang
Kuo-Pin Wang
Ming-Yang Cheng
Hatem Elbanna
Hatem Elbanna
Hatem Elbanna
Thomas Schack
Thomas Schack
author_facet Kuo-Pin Wang
Kuo-Pin Wang
Ming-Yang Cheng
Hatem Elbanna
Hatem Elbanna
Hatem Elbanna
Thomas Schack
Thomas Schack
author_sort Kuo-Pin Wang
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionAchieving optimal visuomotor performance in precision sports relies on maintaining an optimal psychological state during motor preparation. To uncover the optimal psychological state, extensive EEG studies have established a link between the Mu rhythm (8–13 Hz at Cz) and cognitive resource allocation during visuomotor tasks (i.e., golf or shooting). In addition, the new approach in EEG neurofeedback training (NFT), called the function-specific instruction (FSI) approach, for sports involves providing function-directed verbal instructions to assist individuals to control specific EEG parameters and align them with targeted brain activity features. While this approach was initially hypothesized to aid individuals in attaining a particular mental state during NFT, the impact of EEG-NFT involving Mu rhythm on visuomotor performance, especially when contrasting the traditional instruction (TI) approach with the FSI approach, underscores the necessity for additional exploration. Hence, the objective of this study is to investigate the impact of the FSI approach on modulating Mu rhythm through EEG-NFT in the context of visuomotor performance.MethodsThirty novice participants were recruited and divided into three groups: function-specific instruction (FSI, four females, six males; mean age = 27.00 ± 7.13), traditional instruction (TI, five females, five males; mean age = 27.00 ± 3.88), and sham control (SC, five females, five males; mean age = 27.80 ± 5.34). These groups engaged in a single-session EEG-NFT and performed golf putting tasks both before and after the EEG-NFT.ResultsThe results showed that within the FSI group, single-session NFT with augmented Mu power led to a significant decrease in putting performance (p = 0.013). Furthermore, we noted a marginal significance indicating a slight increase in Mu power and a reduction in the subjective sensation of action control following EEG-NFT (p = 0.119). While there was a positive correlation between Mu power and mean radial error in golf putting performance (p = 0.043), it is important to interpret this relationship cautiously in the context of reduced accuracy in golf putting.DiscussionThe findings emphasize the necessity for extended investigation to attain a more profound comprehension of the nuanced significance of Mu power in visuomotor performance. The study highlights the potential effectiveness of the FSI approach in EEG-NFT and in enhancing visuomotor performance, but it also emphasizes the potential impact of skill level and attentional control, particularly in complex visuomotor tasks.
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spelling doaj.art-1f1c6d23f10a41c38f2f43729b237f162023-12-22T14:08:54ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782023-12-011410.3389/fpsyg.2023.12731861273186A new EEG neurofeedback training approach in sports: the effects function-specific instruction of Mu rhythm and visuomotor skill performanceKuo-Pin Wang0Kuo-Pin Wang1Ming-Yang Cheng2Hatem Elbanna3Hatem Elbanna4Hatem Elbanna5Thomas Schack6Thomas Schack7Center for Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC), Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, GermanyNeurocognition and Action - Biomechanics Research Group, Faculty of Psychology and Sports Science, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, GermanySchool of Psychology, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, ChinaCenter for Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC), Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, GermanyNeurocognition and Action - Biomechanics Research Group, Faculty of Psychology and Sports Science, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, GermanyDepartment of Sports Psychology, Faculty of Physical Education, Mansoura University, Mansoura, EgyptCenter for Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC), Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, GermanyNeurocognition and Action - Biomechanics Research Group, Faculty of Psychology and Sports Science, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, GermanyIntroductionAchieving optimal visuomotor performance in precision sports relies on maintaining an optimal psychological state during motor preparation. To uncover the optimal psychological state, extensive EEG studies have established a link between the Mu rhythm (8–13 Hz at Cz) and cognitive resource allocation during visuomotor tasks (i.e., golf or shooting). In addition, the new approach in EEG neurofeedback training (NFT), called the function-specific instruction (FSI) approach, for sports involves providing function-directed verbal instructions to assist individuals to control specific EEG parameters and align them with targeted brain activity features. While this approach was initially hypothesized to aid individuals in attaining a particular mental state during NFT, the impact of EEG-NFT involving Mu rhythm on visuomotor performance, especially when contrasting the traditional instruction (TI) approach with the FSI approach, underscores the necessity for additional exploration. Hence, the objective of this study is to investigate the impact of the FSI approach on modulating Mu rhythm through EEG-NFT in the context of visuomotor performance.MethodsThirty novice participants were recruited and divided into three groups: function-specific instruction (FSI, four females, six males; mean age = 27.00 ± 7.13), traditional instruction (TI, five females, five males; mean age = 27.00 ± 3.88), and sham control (SC, five females, five males; mean age = 27.80 ± 5.34). These groups engaged in a single-session EEG-NFT and performed golf putting tasks both before and after the EEG-NFT.ResultsThe results showed that within the FSI group, single-session NFT with augmented Mu power led to a significant decrease in putting performance (p = 0.013). Furthermore, we noted a marginal significance indicating a slight increase in Mu power and a reduction in the subjective sensation of action control following EEG-NFT (p = 0.119). While there was a positive correlation between Mu power and mean radial error in golf putting performance (p = 0.043), it is important to interpret this relationship cautiously in the context of reduced accuracy in golf putting.DiscussionThe findings emphasize the necessity for extended investigation to attain a more profound comprehension of the nuanced significance of Mu power in visuomotor performance. The study highlights the potential effectiveness of the FSI approach in EEG-NFT and in enhancing visuomotor performance, but it also emphasizes the potential impact of skill level and attentional control, particularly in complex visuomotor tasks.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1273186/fullcomplex visuomotor skillssimple visuomotor skillsMu rhythmalpha rhythmmental traininggolf putting
spellingShingle Kuo-Pin Wang
Kuo-Pin Wang
Ming-Yang Cheng
Hatem Elbanna
Hatem Elbanna
Hatem Elbanna
Thomas Schack
Thomas Schack
A new EEG neurofeedback training approach in sports: the effects function-specific instruction of Mu rhythm and visuomotor skill performance
Frontiers in Psychology
complex visuomotor skills
simple visuomotor skills
Mu rhythm
alpha rhythm
mental training
golf putting
title A new EEG neurofeedback training approach in sports: the effects function-specific instruction of Mu rhythm and visuomotor skill performance
title_full A new EEG neurofeedback training approach in sports: the effects function-specific instruction of Mu rhythm and visuomotor skill performance
title_fullStr A new EEG neurofeedback training approach in sports: the effects function-specific instruction of Mu rhythm and visuomotor skill performance
title_full_unstemmed A new EEG neurofeedback training approach in sports: the effects function-specific instruction of Mu rhythm and visuomotor skill performance
title_short A new EEG neurofeedback training approach in sports: the effects function-specific instruction of Mu rhythm and visuomotor skill performance
title_sort new eeg neurofeedback training approach in sports the effects function specific instruction of mu rhythm and visuomotor skill performance
topic complex visuomotor skills
simple visuomotor skills
Mu rhythm
alpha rhythm
mental training
golf putting
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1273186/full
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