Biofeedback in Sports

Chantea GoetzM.S. Sports Psychology

Capella UniversityPSY8840

Objectives The history of biofeedback What is biofeedback? How does it benefit sports? Who is the target audience? Advances in technology of

biofeedback

Table of Contents What is Biofeedback? History Theories Biofeedback in Sports Performance anxiety Optimal performance Injury recovery Athlete Diversity Advantages/Disadvantages Technology The latest advances in neuroimaging Conclusion References

What is Biofeedback?

Biofeedback is a process that enables an individual to

learn how to change physiological activity for the

purposes of improving health and performance (AASB,

2011). Utilizing the proper techniques can help to alleviate issues

such as performance anxiety, depression, headaches, and

symptoms related to injuries such as traumatic brain injury or

concussions, as well as improve attention and focus.

Biofeedback in Action

Inception of Biofeedback The official history of American biofeedback started in

1969 at the Surf Rider Inn in Santa Monica, California. Biofeedback Research Society (BRS) was born. In

1976, the BRS was renamed the Biofeedback Society of America (BSA), and in 1989, it was renamed the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB).

Biofeedback belongs to both practitioners and

researchers, and it intersects multiple disciplines and perspectives such as humanistic and transpersonal psychology, neuroscience, neurology, parapsychology, internal medicine, sports coaching, nursing, somatic therapy, psychology, physical therapy, and consciousness studies (Peper & Shaffer, 2010).

Theories Operant conditioning is “a learning process in which

the likelihood of a specific behavior is increased or decreased through positive or negative reinforcement each time the behavior is exhibited, so that the subject comes to associate the pleasure or displeasure of the reinforcement with the behavior (Operant Conditioning, ND).

EEG Biofeedback is a learning strategy that enables

persons to alter their brain waves (http://www.eegspectrum.com/faq/).

In essence brain waves are being reformatted and

trained to function in a new way in order to change a behavior.

Unlimited Potential

Theories Another key theory behind the use of biofeedback or neurofeedback is the

theory of self-regulation. The self-regulation theory (SRT) is a system of

conscious personal management that involves the process of guiding

one's own thoughts, behaviors, and feelings to reach goals. Self-regulation

consists of several stages, and individuals must function as contributors to

their own motivation, behavior, and development within a network of

reciprocally interacting influences (Wikipedia, 2016). This is one of the core requirements in using BF to improve athletic

performance as demonstrated in the following studies.

Uses in Sports

According to Hammond (2007), biofeedback can

also be used to improve concentration and focus,

to improve cognitive function and emotional

control following concussions and mild head

injuries, and it has untapped potential to increase

physical balance in gymnastics, ice skating, skiing,

and other areas of performance (Hammond, 2007).

Mind/Body Connection

The Effect of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback on Performance

Psychology of Basketball Players The present study has been designed to examine the relationship

between anxiety and performance and also effectiveness of biofeedback protocol to create stress-eliciting situation in basketball players (Paul & Garg, 2012).

Thirty basketball players of university level and above aged 18–28 years, male and female, were randomly divided into three equal groups- Experimental (Biofeedback) group, Placebo group and Control (NoTreatment) group.

The BFB group received HRV BFB training for 10 consecutive days for 20 min that included breathing at individual’s resonant frequency through a pacing stimulus; Placebo group was shown motivational video clips for 10 consecutive days for 10 min, whereas No Treatment Control group was not given any intervention.

The results of the study support the idea that HRV BFB lowers the anxiety and thus there seems to be a potential association between HRV BFB and performance optimization (Paul & Garg, 2012).

PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT AND STRESS REDUCTION USING BIOFEEDBACK WITH WOMEN

COLLEGIATE VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS The purpose of this research was to investigate

the effects of heart rhythm variability (HRV) biofeedback training with emotional regulation on the athletic performance of women collegiate volleyball players (Tanis, 2012).

Individual biofeedback training using Heart

Math's emWave® PC (1.0) was provided to 13 student-athletes during six weekly sessions.

The qualitative analysis revealed numerous

benefits of the intervention including a reduction of physical and mental stress, and an enhancement of physical and mental states improving academic and athletic performance (Tanis, 2012).

Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback as a Strategy for Dealing with

Competitive Anxiety: A Case Study To investigate heart rate variability biofeedback further, a

qualitative case study examined the impact of HRV BFB on the mood, physiology, and sport performance of a 14-year-old golfer.

The golfer met once per week at a university lab for 10

consecutive sessions of HRV BFB training that included breathing at a frequency of 0.1 Hz.

Following HRV BFB, the golfer achieved his personal record

score for 18 holes of golf, and his mean golf score (total number of shots per 18 holes of golf) was 15 shots lower than in his previous golf season. The golfer received no golf instructions during HRV BFB training. The results of this case study suggest that HRV BFB training may help the athlete cope with the stress of competition and/or improve neuromuscular function (Lagos, Vaschillo, E., Vaschillo, B., Lehrer, Bates, & Pandina, 2008).

Biofeedback in Golf

Developing a Performance Brain Training

TM Approach for Baseball: A Process Analysis with Descriptive Data

This study presented data of five development players from a major league baseball team. The aims were to evaluate the feasibility of conducting sessions within a professional organization, assess changes in quantitative electroencephalograph (QEEG), NeuroPerformance Profile TM, and report qualitative self-report data before and after brain training.

The QEEG data, CPT data and NeuroPerformance Profile TM data

were all compared between the pre and post 15 sessions of brain training using a within subject paired t test design corrected for multiple comparisons using false discovery rate method (Sherlin, L. H., Larson, & Sherlin, R. M., 2013).

The QEEG findings of all participants illustrated significant

changes within the training parameters. Thus the positive findings in both objective and subjective measures suggest further inquiry into the utility of brain training for performance enhancement with the specific application of sport is warranted.

Neurofeedback training for peak performance.

The aim of the paper was to study whether the intensive neurofeedback training of a well-functioning Olympic athlete who has lost his performance confidence after injury in sport, could change the brain functioning reflected in changes in spontaneous EEG and event related potentials (ERPs) (Graczyk, Pachalska, Ziołkowski, Mańko, Lukaszewska,Kochanowicz, Kropotov, 2014).

He wanted to resume his activities by means of

neurofeedback training. His QEEG/ERP parameters were assessed before and after 4 intensive sessions of neurotherapy. Dramatic and statistically significant changes that could not be explained by error measurement were observed in the patient.

It can be concluded that that even a few sessions of

neurofeedback in a high performance brain can significantly activate the prefrontal cortical areas associated with increasing confidence in sport performance.

Toward a psychophysiology of performance: Sport psychology principles dealing with anxiety.

A unique and innovative internal imagery/video/electroencephalogram (EEG) biofeedback protocol was used to train visual attention and increase self-confidence of a collegiate baseball player struggling to recover from a serious eye injury (Davis & Simi, 2005).

Results from the next competitive season revealed that self-

confidence increased and hitting and fielding performance improved dramatically after receiving biofeedback therapy.

Although EEG biofeedback has been slow to gain acceptance

among applied practitioners, used in conjunction with video and internal imagery, it appears to have potential as a tool for training visual attention in athletes within a variety of externally paced sports, such as baseball, softball, and racquet sports (Davis & Simi, 2005).

The Road to Recovery

Summary of Biofeedback Studies

Biofeedback is gaining more popularity and acceptance in the field of sports psychology and neuroscience for improving athletic performance.

Biofeedback is instrumental in gaining control

over physiological responses to stress and anxiety, thus improving performance.

Attention and focus are improved through the

use of biofeedback. Athletes are able to recover from serious

injuries utilizing biofeedback.

Athlete Diversity Advantages of biofeedback Athletes of all ages and genders can benefit from

the use of biofeedback. Biofeedback is proven to be effective in the

areas of performance anxiety, stress, injury, optimal performance, and focus.

Athletes can use these skills on and off the field. Disadvantages A trained professional needs to perform the

sessions. Not all athletes have access to biofeedback. The amount of sessions needed to see

improvements varies per athlete.

Advancing Sports through Biofeedback

Future Work There is a need to conduct more longitudinal studies on the

long-term benefits of biofeedback on athletic performance. Cross-sectional studies on the benefits of biofeedback in

recovering from traumatic brain injuries would allow for the general population to implement this treatment on other injuries such as strokes.

More consistent guidelines and protocols are in order to

improve the psychometric properties of biofeedback. Furthering the education of coaches, parents, and sports

psychologists on the benefits of biofeedback is essential for this treatment to become more mainstream.

Paving the Way

Technology in Sports Training

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Neurofeedback/Biofeedback Virtual Reality (VR) training Eye-tracking glasses According to Zaichkowsky (2006) ,we need experts in

technology, sport, basic science, and statistical methods that will enable us to get answers to important practical questions (Zaichkowsky, 2006).

The use of technology can pave the way to a better

understanding of how the mind/connection of an athlete experiences stress, anxiety, competition, trauma or serious injury, and how to improve athletic performance.

Conclusion Biofeedback provides and opportunity for

athletes to improve athletic performance, reduce anxiety, and increase focus and attention.

Biofeedback aids in the recovery process of

serious injuries. Evidence suggests the use of biofeedback as a

therapeutic modality is very beneficial for athletes on and off the field.

Future studies should be conducted to increase

the value of the psychometric properties. Coaches should look into finding qualified

practitioners to assist their athletes.

References:Davis, P. A., & Sime, W. E. (2005). Toward a psychophysiology of performance: Sport

psychology principles dealing with anxiety. International Journal Of Stress Management, 12(4), 363-378. doi:10.1037/1072-5245.12.4.363

EEG Biofeedback (2014) Frequently asked questions EEG Education and Research Inc. Retrieved from: http://www.eegspectrum.com/faq/

Graczyk, M., Pachalska, M., Ziółkowski, A., Mańko, G., Łukaszewska, B., Kochanowicz, K., Kropotov, I. (2014). Neurofeedback training for peak performance. Annals of

Agricultural and Environmental Medicine Ann Agric Environ Med, 21(4), 871-875. doi: 10.5604/12321966.1129950 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25528937

Hammond, D. (2007) Neurofeedback for the Enhancement of Athletic Performance and Physical Balance The Journal of the American Board of Sport Psychology

Volume 1-2007; Article # 1 Retrieved from:http://www.americanboardofsportpsychology.org/portals/24/absp-

journalhammond1.pdf

Lagos, L., Vaschillo, E., Vaschillo, B., Lehrer, P., Bates, M., & Pandina, R. (2008). Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback as a Strategy for Dealing with Competitive

Anxiety: A Case Study. Biofeedback, 36(3), 109-115. Retrieved from http://www.drleahlagos.com/docs/biof_heart_rate-1-Dr.

Lagos.pdf

Operant Conditioning. (n.d.) American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. (2011). Retrieved from:http://www.thefreedictionary.com/operant

+conditioning

References:Paul, M., & Garg, K. (2012). The effect of heart rate variability biofeedback on

performance psychology of basketball players. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 37(2), 131-44. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10484-012-9185-2

Peper, Erik,PhD., B.C.B., & Shaffer, Fred,PhD., B.C.B. (2010). Biofeedback history: An alternative view. Biofeedback (Online), 38(4), 142-147. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.library.capella.edu/docview/871225642?accountid=27965

Sherlin, L. H., Larson, N. C., & Sherlin, R. M. (2013). Developing a performance brain training(TM) approach for baseball: A process analysis with descriptive data. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 38(1), 29-44. doi:http://dx.doi.org/

10.1007/s10484-012-9205-2

Tanis, C. J. (2012). PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT AND STRESS REDUCTION USING BIOFEEDBACK WITH WOMEN COLLEGIATE VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS. Athletic

Insight, 4(2), 127-140. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.library.capella.edu/docview/1698634446?accountid=27965

Wikipedia (2016) Self-regulation Theory. Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-regulation_theory

Zaichkowsky, L. (2006) ndustry Challenges Facing Sport Psychology Retrieved from: http://www.athleticinsight.com/Vol8Iss3/IndustryChallenges.htm