Electroencephalography and Sport; Review and Future Directions
Vietta E. Wilson, Ph.D.
York University
A chapter from Textbook of Neurofeedback, EEG Biofeedback, qEEG and Brain Self Regulation by Rob Kall and Joe Kamiya
Purpose of the paper
I. PSYCHOLOGICAL SKILLS NECESSARY FOR SPORTS PERFORMANCE
A. Traits of Optimum Performers
B. States of Optimum Performance
II. RESEARCH ON EEG IN SPORT
A. Genetics vs Learning
B. EEG and Sport Performance
Pre-performance
background EEG
evoked response potentials-ERP
During the event
Pre event to post event
Imagery of the event
Biofeedback
Cautions and Summary of Section
III. SPORT CONSIDERATIONS
FUTURE DIRECTIONS
REFERENCES
The purpose of this paper is to briefly review the psychological traits and states that are believed necessary for performance in competitive sport. This information may help guide areas of brain research that could have a large practical impact upon enhancing performance. The paper will then focus on reviewing studies which used electroencephalography (EEG) to assess brain processing in athletes. The final section will present considerations necessary for conducting sport research followed by some future directions.
PSYCHOLOGICAL SKILLS NECESSARY FOR SPORT PERFORMANCE
The need for psychological skills in learning, maintaining or improving performance in sport, especially under the stress of competition, has been anecdotal documented in the popular press and sport literature for decades . More recently research. has identified some of the psychological predispositions or traits as well as the mental states necessary for elite performance in sport.
Traits of Optimum Performers
Coaches who have worked with athletes as well as the "normal' population will generally concur that athletes are different from non-athletes in more than motor skills. A controversy surrounded the use of personality testing of athletes in North America in the 1960's. With the integration of an Interaction Model (traits X states) and sport specific inventories many of the previous objections about trait research in sport psychology have been lessened.
Vietta E. Wilson, Ph.D.
York University
A chapter from Textbook of Neurofeedback, EEG Biofeedback, qEEG and Brain Self Regulation by Rob Kall and Joe Kamiya
Purpose of the paper
I. PSYCHOLOGICAL SKILLS NECESSARY FOR SPORTS PERFORMANCE
A. Traits of Optimum Performers
B. States of Optimum Performance
II. RESEARCH ON EEG IN SPORT
A. Genetics vs Learning
B. EEG and Sport Performance
Pre-performance
background EEG
evoked response potentials-ERP
During the event
Pre event to post event
Imagery of the event
Biofeedback
Cautions and Summary of Section
III. SPORT CONSIDERATIONS
FUTURE DIRECTIONS
REFERENCES
The purpose of this paper is to briefly review the psychological traits and states that are believed necessary for performance in competitive sport. This information may help guide areas of brain research that could have a large practical impact upon enhancing performance. The paper will then focus on reviewing studies which used electroencephalography (EEG) to assess brain processing in athletes. The final section will present considerations necessary for conducting sport research followed by some future directions.
PSYCHOLOGICAL SKILLS NECESSARY FOR SPORT PERFORMANCE
The need for psychological skills in learning, maintaining or improving performance in sport, especially under the stress of competition, has been anecdotal documented in the popular press and sport literature for decades . More recently research. has identified some of the psychological predispositions or traits as well as the mental states necessary for elite performance in sport.
Traits of Optimum Performers
Coaches who have worked with athletes as well as the "normal' population will generally concur that athletes are different from non-athletes in more than motor skills. A controversy surrounded the use of personality testing of athletes in North America in the 1960's. With the integration of an Interaction Model (traits X states) and sport specific inventories many of the previous objections about trait research in sport psychology have been lessened.
