Golf putt outcomes are predicted by sensorimotor cerebral EEG rhythms

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Motor Control
• Sports Science

Background:

• The role of frontal cerebral rhythms in fine motor control and balance remains unclear.
• Understanding hemispheric involvement in complex motor tasks like golf putting is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the involvement of frontal electroencephalographic (EEG) rhythms in fine motor control and balance during golf putting.
• To determine if specific EEG patterns correlate with putting accuracy in expert golfers.

Main Methods:

• Simultaneous electroencephalographic (EEG) and stabilometric recordings were conducted on 12 right-handed expert golfers.
• Participants performed approximately 100 golf putts on a simulator, with balance measured by body sway area.
• Cortical activity was assessed by analyzing power reduction in alpha (8-12 Hz) and beta (13-30 Hz) rhythms during the pre-movement period.

Main Results:

• Body sway area did not differ significantly between successful and unsuccessful putts.
• A reduction in high-frequency alpha power (10-12 Hz) was observed in successful putts compared to unsuccessful ones.
• This alpha power reduction was noted over the frontal midline and the right primary sensorimotor area (arm and hand region).
• A stronger reduction in alpha power correlated with a smaller putting error (i.e., closer distance to the hole).

Conclusions:

• High-frequency alpha rhythms in associative, premotor, and non-dominant primary sensorimotor areas are implicated in motor control.
• The degree of alpha power reduction serves as a predictor of putting performance accuracy in golfers.