Olympic Countdown - Shooting

Brain waves Research has shown significant increases in left hemisphere alpha activity (8-12 Hz) during shot preparation of skilled marksmen (Hatfield et al 1994), and between the best and worst shots of elite archers (Salazar et al 1990). Increases in alpha waves are often associated with a reduced overall activity of the brain. Haufler et al (2000) found that during aiming, when marksmen were compared with novice shooters, marksmen exhibited less activation (increased alpha with less beta and gamma activity) at all electrode sites on the head. The most pronounced differences were in the left central-temporal parietal areas. Kerick et al (2001) looked at skilled marksmen during shooting. Over an eight-second period preceding the trigger pull, they exhibited greater alpha activity in the left temporal area compared with a control activity. Hatfield et al (1984) also found a progressive increase in alpha power during the last 7.5 seconds of aiming, whilst there no change in the right temporal area. “So what?” I hear you say. Well, what if you could control your own brainwaves? This is what “EEG biofeedback” aims to do. It’s been used in the treatment of ADHD. The procedure usually involves watching a video game, and when the desired effect occurs (such as reducing theta waves) they get an encouragement, such as a beep or a character moving in the desired direction. Lander et al (1991) used EEG biofeedback to see if it could improve archery performance. Research shows that shooters have reduced cortical activity in the left temporal area when shooting. Experienced pre-elite male (16) and female (8) archers were randomly assigned to one of three treatment conditions. a) Correct feedback (i.e. greater left hemisphere low-frequency activity; b) incorrect feedback (i.e. greater right hemisphere low-frequency feedback, and c) no feedback control. They found that those trained to shift the level of cortical activity towards more negativity in the left temporal region showed a significant improvement in performance, and those trained to shift the level of cortical activity towards more negative in the right temporal region showed significantly poorer performance. There was no change in the control group. However, all is not as clear cut as it might seem. Examination of participants’ EEG spectra from pre- to post-training failed to reveal a clear pattern of change as a result of the training. So we’re not there yet. But one day it’s likely that shooters will be able to control the brainwaves to help them win gold. David Donner