The influence of electrocortical biofeedback on performance in pre-elite archers

The purpose of the present research was to determine whether EEG biofeedback training could improve archery performance as well as self-reported measures of concentration and self-confidence. Experienced pre-elite male (N = 16) and female (N = 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 activity), and (c) no feedback control. The pretest and posttest consisted of 27 shots, with EEG data collected for the left and right temporal hemispheres (T3, T4). Feedback subjects were then given EEG biofeedback, while control subjects rested for 30 min. Analyses indicated that only the performance measure was significant. The correct feedback group significantly improved performance, while the incorrect feedback group showed a significant performance decrement from pre- to posttest (Ps less than 0.05). The control group showed no significant pre-post differences in performance. EEG analyses showed differences that were consistent with the training given to the incorrect, but not the correct, feedback group. Overall, the results provide some support for the use of known relationships between EEG and performance as an effective means of providing biofeedback to affect the performance of pre-elite archers.