Session Frequency Matters in Neurofeedback Training of Athletes

Domingos, Christophe; Peralta, Miguel; Prazeres, Pedro; Nan, Wenya; Rosa, Agostinho; Pereira, José G.

doi:10.1007/s10484-021-09505-3

Published: 02 February 2021

Session Frequency Matters in Neurofeedback Training of Athletes

Christophe Domingos^1,2,
Miguel Peralta^3,4,
Pedro Prazeres⁵,
Wenya Nan ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-9062-042X⁶,
Agostinho Rosa² &
José G. Pereira¹

Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback volume 46, pages 195–204 (2021)Cite this article

475 Accesses
2 Citations
1 Altmetric
Metrics details

Abstract

Neurofeedback training has been an increasingly used technique and is taking its first steps in sport. Being at an embryonic stage, it is difficult to find consensus regarding the applied methodology to achieve the best results. This study focused on understanding one of the major methodological issues—the training session frequency. The aim of the investigation was to understand if there are differences between performing two sessions or three sessions per week in enhancement of alpha activity and improvement of cognition; and in case there are differences, infer the best protocol. Forty-five athletes were randomly assigned to the three-session-training-per-week group, the two-session-training-per-week group and a control group. The results showed that neurofeedback training with three sessions per week was more effective in increase of alpha amplitude during neurofeedback training than two sessions per week. Furthermore, only the three-session-per-week group showed significant enhancement in N-back and oddball performance after training. The findings suggested more condensed training protocol lead to better outcomes, providing guidance on neurofeedback protocol design in order to optimize training efficacy.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

43,34 €

Price includes VAT (Finland)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

Angelakis, E., Stathopoulou, S., Frymiare, J. L., Green, D. L., Lubar, J. F., & Kounios, J. (2007). EEG neurofeedback: A brief overview and an example of peak alpha frequency training for cognitive enhancement in the elderly. Clinical Neuropsychology, 21(1), 110–129. https://doi.org/10.1080/13854040600744839.
Article Google Scholar
Babiloni, C., Marzano, N., Infarinato, F., Iacoboni, M., Rizza, G., Aschieri, P., et al. (2010). “Neural efficiency” of experts’ brain during judgment of actions: A high-resolution EEG study in elite and amateur karate athletes. Behavioural Brain Research, 207(2), 466–475. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2009.10.034.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Baker, J., Côté, J., & Deakin, J. (2005). Expertise in ultra-endurance triathletes early sport involvement, training structure, and the theory of deliberate practice. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 17(1), 64–78. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200590907577.
Article Google Scholar
Cherapkina, L. (2012). The neurofeedback successfulness of sportsmen. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise, 7(1Proc), S116–S127. https://doi.org/10.4100/jhse.2012.7.Proc1.13.
Article Google Scholar
Debener, S., Makeig, S., Delorme, A., & Engel, A. K. (2005). What is novel in the novelty oddball paradigm? Functional significance of the novelty P3 event-related potential as revealed by independent component analysis. Cognitive Brain Research, 22(3), 309–321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cogbrainres.2004.09.006.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Dekker, M. K., van den Berg, B. R., Denissen, A. J., Sitskoorn, M. M., & van Boxtel, G. J. (2014). Feasibility of eyes open alpha power training for mental enhancement in elite gymnasts. Journal of Sports Sciences, 32(16), 1550–1560. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2014.906044.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Faridnia, M., Shojaei, M., & Rahimi, A. (2012). The effect of neurofeedback training on the anxiety of elite female swimmers. Annals of Biological Research, 3(2), 1020–1028. https://doi.org/10.22059/JAPR.2017.61078.
Article Google Scholar
Gallicchio, G., Cooke, A., & Ring, C. (2017). Practice makes efficient: Cortical alpha oscillations are associated with improved golf putting performance. Sport Exerc Perform Psychol, 6(1), 89–102. https://doi.org/10.1037/spy0000077.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Golovin, M. S., Balioz, N. V., Aizman, R. I., & Krivoshchekov, S. G. (2015). Effect of audiovisual stimulation on the psychophysiological functions in track-and-field athletes. Human Physiology, 41(5), 532–538. https://doi.org/10.1134/s0362119715050047.
Article Google Scholar
Gruzelier, J. H. (2014). Differential effects on mood of 12–15 (SMR) and 15–18 (beta1) Hz neurofeedback. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 93(1), 112–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2012.11.007.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Gruzelier, J. H., Thompson, T., Redding, E., Brandt, R., & Steffert, T. (2014). Application of alpha/theta neurofeedback and heart rate variability training to young contemporary dancers: State anxiety and creativity. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 93(1), 105–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2013.05.004.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Guez, J., Rogel, A., Getter, N., Keha, E., Cohen, T., Amor, T., et al. (2015). Influence of electroencephalography neurofeedback training on episodic memory: A randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind study. Memory, 23(5), 683–694. https://doi.org/10.1080/09658211.2014.921713.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Haier, R. J., Siegel, B., Tang, C., Abel, L., & Buchsbaum, M. S. (1992). Intelligence and changes in regional cerebral glucose metabolic rate following learning. Intelligence, 16(3–4), 415–426. https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-2896(92)90018-M.
Article Google Scholar
Hammond, D. C. (2007). Neurofeedback for the enhancement of athletic performance and physical balance. The Journal of the American Board of Sport Psychology, 1(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1300/J184v09n01_03.
Article Google Scholar
Harkness, T. (2009). Psykinetics and biofeedback: Abhinav Bindra wins India’s first-ever individual gold medal in Beijing olympics. Biofeedback, 37(2), 48–52. https://doi.org/10.5298/1081-5937-37.2.48.
Article Google Scholar
Hatfield, B. D., Haufler, A. J., & Spalding, T. W. (2006). A cognitive neuroscience perspective on sport performance. In E. Ekkekakis & E. Acevedo (Eds.), Psychobiology of physical activity (pp. 221–240). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Google Scholar
Hosseini, F., & Norouzi, E. (2017). Effect of neurofeedback training on self-talk and performance in elite and non-elite volleyball players. Medicina Dello Sport, 70(3), 344–353. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0025-7826.16.03011-8.
Article Google Scholar
Hsueh, J. J., Chen, T. S., Chen, J. J., & Shaw, F. Z. (2016). Neurofeedback training of EEG alpha rhythm enhances episodic and working memory. Human Brain Mapping, 37(7), 2662–2675. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.23201.
Article PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar
Kamata, A., Tenenbaum, G., & Hanin, Y. L. (2002). Individual zone of optimal functioning (IZOF): A probabilistic estimation. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 24(2), 189–208. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.24.2.189.
Article Google Scholar
Kirchner, W. K. (1958). Age differences in short-term retention of rapidly changing information. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 55(4), 352–358. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0043688.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Klimesch, W. (1999). EEG alpha and theta oscillations reflect cognitive and memory performance: A review and analysis. Brain Research Reviews, 29(2), 169–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-0173(98)00056-3.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Klimesch, W., Sauseng, P., & Hanslmayr, S. (2007). EEG alpha oscillations: The inhibition–timing hypothesis. Brain Research Reviews, 53(1), 63–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresrev.2006.06.003.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Kober, S. E., Schweiger, D., Reichert, J. L., Neuper, C., & Wood, G. (2017). Upper alpha based neurofeedback training in chronic stroke: Brain plasticity processes and cognitive effects. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback, 42(1), 69–83. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-017-9353-5.
Article PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar
Mann, C. A., Sterman, M. B., & Kaiser, D. A. (1996). Suppression of EEG rhythmic frequencies during somato-motor and visuo-motor behavior. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 23(1–2), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-8760(96)00036-0.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Maszczyk, A., Golas, A., Pietraszewski, P., Kowalczyk, M., Cieszczyk, P., Kochanowicz, A., et al. (2018). Neurofeedback for the enhancement of dynamic balance of judokas. Biology of Sport, 35(1), 99–102. https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2018.71488.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Mikicin, M. (2015). The autotelic involvement of attention induced by EEG neurofeedback training improves the performance of an athlete’s mind. Biomedical Human Kinetics, 7(1), 58–65. https://doi.org/10.1515/bhk-2015-0010.
Article Google Scholar
Mikicin, M. (2016). State of mind as a subjective mental sensation results from objective brain activity following neurofeedback-EEG and relaxation trainings. Acta Neuropsychologica, 14(1), 17–33. https://doi.org/10.5604/17307503.1201711.
Article Google Scholar
Mikicin, M., Orzechowski, G., Jurewicz, K., Paluch, K., Kowalczyk, M., & Wrobel, A. (2015). Brain-training for physical performance: A study of EEG-neurofeedback and alpha relaxation training in athletes. Acta Neurobiologiae Experimentalis (Wars), 75(4), 434–445.
Google Scholar
Milton, J., Solodkin, A., Hlustik, P., & Small, S. L. (2007). The mind of expert motor performance is cool and focused. NeuroImage, 35(2), 804–813. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2007.01.003.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Mirifar, A., Beckmann, J., & Ehrlenspiel, F. (2017). Neurofeedback as supplementary training for optimizing athletes’ performance: A systematic review with implications for future research. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 75, 419–432. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.02.005.
Article Google Scholar
Nan, W., Rodrigues, J. P., Ma, J., Qu, X., Wan, F., Mak, P. I., et al. (2012). Individual alpha neurofeedback training effect on short term memory. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 86(1), 83–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2012.07.182.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Nan, W., Wan, F., Chang, L., Pun, S. H., Vai, M. I., & Rosa, A. (2017). An exploratory study of intensive neurofeedback training for schizophrenia. Behavioural Neurology, 2017, 6914216. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/6914216.
Article PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar
Nan, W., Wan, F., Lou, C. I., Vai, M. I., & Rosa, A. (2013). Peripheral visual performance enhancement by neurofeedback training. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 38(4), 285–291. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-013-9233-6.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Paul, M., Ganesan, S., Sandhu, J. S., & Simon, J. V. (2012). Effect of sensory motor rhythm neurofeedback on psycho-physiological, electro-encephalographic measures and performance of archery players. Ibnosina Journal of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, 4(2), 32–39. https://doi.org/10.4103/1947-489X.210753.
Article Google Scholar
Perry, F. D., Shaw, L., & Zaichkowsky, L. (2011). Biofeedback and neurofeedback in sports. Biofeedback, 39(3), 95–100. https://doi.org/10.5298/1081-5937-39.3.10.
Article Google Scholar
Pfurtscheller, G., Neuper, C., Ramoser, H., & Muller-Gerking, J. (1999). Visually guided motor imagery activates sensorimotor areas in humans. Neuroscience Letters, 269(3), 153–156. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-3940(99)00452-8.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Raymond, J., Sajid, I., Parkinson, L. A., & Gruzelier, J. H. (2005). Biofeedback and dance performance: A preliminary investigation. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 30(1), 64–73. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-005-2175-x.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Ring, C., Cooke, A., Kavussanu, M., McIntyre, D., & Masters, R. (2015). Investigating the efficacy of neurofeedback training for expediting expertise and excellence in sport. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 16(Part 1), 118–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2014.08.005.
Article Google Scholar
Rockstroh, B., Elbert, T., Birbaumer, N., Wolf, P., Duchting-Roth, A., Reker, M., et al. (1993). Cortical self-regulation in patients with epilepsies. Epilepsy Research, 14(1), 63–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/0920-1211(93)90075-I.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Rodrigues, J. P., Migotina, D. G., & da Rosa, A. C. (2010). EEG training platform: Improving brain-computer interaction and cognitive skills. In 3rd International Conference on Human System Interaction (pp. 425–229). https://doi.org/10.1109/HSI.2010.5514535.
Rostami, R., Sadeghi, H., Karami, K. A., Abadi, M. N., & Salamati, P. (2012). The effects of neurofeedback on the improvement of rifle shooters’ performance. Journal of Neurotherapy, 16(4), 264–269. https://doi.org/10.1080/10874208.2012.730388.
Article Google Scholar
Shaw, L., Zaichkowsky, L., & Wilson, V. (2012). Setting the balance: Using biofeedback and neurofeedback with gymnasts. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 6(1), 47–66. https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.6.1.47.
Article Google Scholar
Siniatchkin, M., Hierundar, A., Kropp, P., Kuhnert, R., Gerber, W. D., & Stephani, U. (2000). Self-regulation of slow cortical potentials in children with migraine: An exploratory study. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 25(1), 13–32. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009581321624.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Strizhkova, O., Cherapkina, L., & Strizhkova, T. (2014). The neurofeedback course using of high skilled gymnasts at competitive period. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise, 9(1 (special issue)), S561–S569. https://doi.org/10.14198/jhse.2014.9.Proc1.47.
Article Google Scholar
Thompson, M., & Thompson, L. (2015). The neurofeedback book (2nd ed.). Wheat Ridge: Association for Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback.
Google Scholar
Wilson, V. E., Peper, E., & Moss, D. (2006). “ The mind room” in Italian soccer training: The use of biofeedback and neurofeedback for optimum performance. Biofeedback, 34(3), 79–81.
Google Scholar
Witte, M., Kober, S. E., & Wood, G. (2018). Noisy but not placebo: Defining metrics for effects of neurofeedback. Brain, 141(5), e40. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awy060.
Article PubMed Google Scholar
World Health Organization. (2010). Global recommendations on physical activity for health. Genebra: World Health Organization. Retrieved September 4, 2020 from http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2010/9789241599979_eng.pdf.
World Medical Association. (2001). World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki. Ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 79(4), 373.
PubMed Central Google Scholar
Xiang, M. Q., Hou, X. H., Liao, B. G., Liao, J. W., & Hu, M. (2018). The effect of neurofeedback training for sport performance in athletes: A meta-analysis. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 36, 114–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.02.004.
Article Google Scholar
YuLeung To, E., Abbott, K., Foster, D. S., & Helmer, D. (2016). Working memory and neurofeedback. Applied Neuropsychology: Child, 5(3), 214–222. https://doi.org/10.1080/21622965.2016.1167500.
Article Google Scholar
Ziółkowski, A., Graczyk, M., Strzałkowska, A., Wilczyńska, D., Włodarczyk, P., & Zarańska, B. (2012). Neuronal, cognitive and social indicators for the control of aggressive behaviors in sport. Acta Neuropsychologica, 10(4), 537–546. https://doi.org/10.5604/17307503.1030215.
Article Google Scholar

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81901830), the Humanity and Social Science Youth Foundation of the Ministry of Education in China (19YJC190018) and LARSyS—FCT Project (UIDB/50009/2020).

Author information

Affiliations

Laboratory of Physiology and Biochemistry of Exercise, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, Cruz Quebrada, Portugal
Christophe Domingos & José G. Pereira
Department of Bioengineering, LaSEEB - System and Robotics Institute, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
Christophe Domingos & Agostinho Rosa
CIPER, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, Cruz Quebrada, Portugal
Miguel Peralta
ISAMB, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
Miguel Peralta
Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, UK
Pedro Prazeres
Department of Psychology, College of Education, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
Wenya Nan

Authors

Christophe Domingos
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar
Miguel Peralta
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar
Pedro Prazeres
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar
Wenya Nan
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar
Agostinho Rosa
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar
José G. Pereira
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

CD: Conceptualization, Visualization, Writing-Original draft preparation and Investigation. MP: Data curation and Methodology. PP: Writing-Original draft preparation and Software WN: Writing-Reviewing and Editing. AR: Writing-Reviewing and Supervision. JGP: Writing-Reviewing and Supervision.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wenya Nan.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (DOCX 17 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Domingos, C., Peralta, M., Prazeres, P. et al. Session Frequency Matters in Neurofeedback Training of Athletes. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 46, 195–204 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-021-09505-3

Download citation

Accepted: 19 January 2021
Published: 02 February 2021
Issue Date: June 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-021-09505-3

Keywords

Neurofeedback training
Athletes
Individual alpha band
Session frequency
EEG