Exploring Brain Activity in Novice Athletes During Closed and Open Skills in Table Tennis

This study investigated the neural correlates of closed and open-skill performance in novice table tennis players. Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to measure brain activity in 14 participants in a two-second window prior to movement onset by serving a ball (closed-skill) or returning a serve (open-skill) while attempting to hit a target. Results revealed distinct patterns of brain activity between the tasks. Linear mixed-effects models were used to compare EEG spectral power between Serve and Return trials and between successful and unsuccessful trials within each task. Return trials were associated with higher relative alpha power in the parietal and central regions, with additional exploratory effects at T7 and T8, compared with serve trials. Successful return trials were associated with lower relative occipital and parietal theta power than unsuccessful return trials. Successful serve trials were associated with higher relative central beta power and lower relative central and parietal theta power than unsuccessful serve trials. These findings suggest that novice table tennis performance is associated with task-specific differences in preparatory neural activity before movement onset. The study provides insights into the neural mechanisms underlying motor performance in novice athletes and highlights potential targets for training interventions aimed at improving skill acquisition and consistency.