Differential hemispheric activation during complex visuomotor performance: alpha trends and theta

Two experiments were done to study asymmetry in left and right cerebral hemispheres while subjects performed in verbal and nonverbal tasks, including a complex visuomotor T.V. tennis game (Pong). Previous analyses demonstrated asymmetries of alpha activity during these tasks, and in this paper we describe sequential changes of alpha asymmetry associated with playing Pong. Alpha power was stable in the left hemisphere but decreased in the right hemisphere during each rally, returning to symmetry during inter-rally intervals. Theta activity increased bilaterally in most of the tasks and differed from the alpha patterns in several respects. The second experiment demonstrated the usefulness of video games for assessing sex and age differences in visuospatial capacities'--male performance was better than female and performance was inversely related to age.