Electroencephalography (EEG) Physiological Indices Reflecting Human Physical Performance: A Systematic Review Using...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Sports Science
• Human Performance

Background:

• Portable neurophysiological methods, like electroencephalography (EEG), have advanced the study of brain activity during physical tasks, particularly in clinical exercise and sports.
• However, understanding the neural signatures of physical tasks in everyday, naturalistic settings remains underexplored.

Approach:

• This systematic review evaluated the feasibility of using EEG indices to quantify human performance across diverse physical activities in laboratory and real-world scenarios.
• A secondary objective was to assess EEG's utility in quantifying performance during physical activities intertwined with mental tasks.
• The review adhered to the updated Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Key Points:

• Of 81 studies reviewed, 64 focused on physical activity performance, and 17 examined physical activities with concurrent mental tasks.
• Linear EEG methods, such as power spectrum and event-related potential amplitude, were predominantly used.
• Nonlinear methods and studies on biomechanical loading of the torso and spine (risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders) were less common.

Conclusions:

• While research on neural mechanisms of motor functioning is growing, the assessment of brain signatures for physical tasks in naturalistic environments is still limited.
• Further research is needed to fully leverage EEG for understanding human performance in real-world physical activities.