The Effect of Neurofeedback Training on the Visual Processing Efficiency in Judo Athletes

Adam Maszczyk; Paweł Dobrakowski; Magdalena Nitychoruk; Marcin Żak; Magdalena Kowalczyk; Michal Toborek

doi:10.2478/hukin-2019-0097

The Effect of Neurofeedback Training on the Visual Processing Efficiency in Judo Athletes

J Hum Kinet. 2020 Jan 31:71:219-227. doi: 10.2478/hukin-2019-0097. eCollection 2020 Jan.

Authors

Adam Maszczyk¹, Paweł Dobrakowski², Magdalena Nitychoruk¹, Marcin Żak¹, Magdalena Kowalczyk¹, Michal Toborek³

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Sport Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Katowice, Poland.
² Psychology Institute, Humanitas University in Sosnowiec, Sosnowiec, Poland.
³ Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, USA.

Abstract

This study aimed to analyse the effect of neurofeedback (NFB) training based on beta-wave amplification and theta-wave inhibition on the visual processing efficiency of judo athletes. The study examined 12 male athletes from the national team of the Polish Judo Association. Participants were divided into the experimental (EG, n = 6) and the control group (CG, n = 6). The NFB training protocol was performed and recorded using a Deymed Truscan system with 24 active channels. The effect of NFB training was examined by computer-based simple and complex reaction tests and selected tests of the Vienna Test System (VST). One - way ANOVA showed statistically significant differences between the CG and the EG in theta and beta values after the first and the second cycle of training. There were statistically significant differences between the CG and the EG in the results of reaction speed tests after individual cycles of training. The highest reduction in simple reaction time was obtained after the second training cycle, when training was performed every second day and lasted four minutes.

Keywords: EEG; biofeedback; concentration; judo athletes; reaction time; visual processing.