The effect of neurofeedback training on competitive state-anxiety track and field athletics

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Student in Ph.D. in physical education and sport sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

2 M.Sc. in physical education and sport sciences, Payam-e-Noor University, Branch of south Tehran

3 Assistant professor of child and adolescent psychiatry, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences

4 Associate professor of motor-behavior, Faculty of physical education and sport sciences, Tehran University

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this research is to examine the effect of neurofeedback training on the competitive state-anxiety and its components of track and field athletes.
 Materials and Methods: The present study is a clinical trial; with pre-test and post-tests by three groups of experimental, control and sham. Therefore 36 athletics from both genders have been chosen voluntarily and purposefully, randomly the subjects have been divided in 3 groups that each group has 12 members (experimental, sham and control). Intervention was made in a form of increased alpha-wave in O1 and O2 over 12 sessions. 2-CSAI questionnaire was used for evaluation of trait-competitive anxiety state. This questionnaire Independently evaluate three factors (cognitive, physical`s anxiety and self-confidence). In order to analyze data, the descriptive-inferential statistics and to be significant, LSD post hoc test was used.
 Results: One-way analysis of variance showed a significant difference between neurofeedback training and physical, cognitive anxiety and self-confidence of athletes. According to the results of post hoc test, there is a significant difference in physical, cognitive anxiety and self-confidence between test group with control and test group with Sham but there’s no significant difference between Sham group and control group. The results show a significant relationship between neurofeedback training and improvement of physical, cognitive anxiety and confidence and competitive state anxiety (P=0.001, P=0.002 and P=0.001 respectively).
 Conclusion: Neurofeedback training makes relaxation, along with consciousness, reduces anxiety and increase brain integration. Brain will achieve balance by continuous combine of electrical activity during the training sessions.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Fundamentals of Mental Health
Volume 15, Issue 59 - Serial Number 59
September and October 2013
Pages 225-232

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