Expert-novice differences in SMR activity during dart throwing

Ming-Yang Cheng; Chiao-Ling Hung; Chung-Ju Huang; Yu-Kai Chang; Li-Chuan Lo; Cheng Shen; Tsung-Min Hung

doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2015.08.003

Expert-novice differences in SMR activity during dart throwing

Biol Psychol. 2015 Sep:110:212-8. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2015.08.003. Epub 2015 Aug 12.

Authors

Ming-Yang Cheng¹, Chiao-Ling Hung², Chung-Ju Huang³, Yu-Kai Chang⁴, Li-Chuan Lo⁵, Cheng Shen⁶, Tsung-Min Hung⁷

Affiliations

¹ Cluster of Excellence Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC), Bielefeld University, Inspiration 1, 33619 Bielefeld, Germany. Electronic address: ming-yang.cheng@uni-bielefeld.de.
² Department of Physical Education, National Taiwan Normal University, No. 162, Sec. 1, Heping E. Rd., Da'an Dist., Taipei City 106, Taiwan, ROC. Electronic address: musehung@gmail.com.
³ Graduate Institute of Sport Pedagogy, University of Taipei, No. 101, Section 2, Zhongcheng Rd., Shilin District, Taipei City 111, Taiwan, ROC. Electronic address: crhwang@tpec.edu.tw.
⁴ Graduate Institute of Athletics and Coaching Science, National Taiwan Sport University, No. 250, Wenhua 1st Rd., Guishan Township, Taoyuan County 333, Taiwan, ROC. Electronic address: yukaichangnew@gmail.com.
⁵ Department of Kinesiology University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA. Electronic address: llo@umd.edu.
⁶ Department of Physical Education, National Taiwan Normal University, No. 162, Sec. 1, Heping E. Rd., Da'an Dist., Taipei City 106, Taiwan, ROC. Electronic address: supertlor@gmail.com.
⁷ Department of Physical Education, National Taiwan Normal University, No. 162, Sec. 1, Heping E. Rd., Da'an Dist., Taipei City 106, Taiwan, ROC. Electronic address: ernesthungkimo@yahoo.com.tw.

PMID: 26277266
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2015.08.003

Abstract

Previous evidence suggests that augmented sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) activity is related to the superior regulation of processing cognitive-motor information in motor performance. However, no published studies have examined the relationship between SMR and performance in precision sports; thus, this study examined the relationship between SMR activity and the level of skilled performance in tasks requiring high levels of attention (e.g., dart throwing). We hypothesized that skilled performance would be associated with higher SMR activity. Fourteen dart-throwing experts and eleven novices were recruited. Participants were requested to perform 60 dart throws while EEG was recorded. The 2(Group: Expert, Novice)×2(Time window: -2000 ms to -1000 ms, -1000 ms to 0 ms) ANOVA showed that the dart-throwing experts maintained a relatively higher SMR power than the novices before dart release. These results suggest that SMR might reflect the adaptive regulation of cognitive-motor processing during the preparatory period.

Keywords: Attention; EEG; Efficiency; Precision sports; Sensorimotor rhythm.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Athletes / psychology*
Athletic Performance / psychology*
Attention / physiology
Female
Games, Recreational / psychology*
Humans
Male
Psychomotor Performance / physiology*
Young Adult