Biofeedback is gaining popularity in sports psychology for improving athletic performance and facilitating recovery from injury. Several studies show biofeedback reduces anxiety and stress, allowing optimal performance. It improves focus, concentration, and cognitive function following concussions. HRV biofeedback lowers anxiety and improves basketball and golf performance. Neurofeedback activates prefrontal areas associated with confidence. A baseball player increased self-confidence and performance using EEG biofeedback combined with imagery. Future research should establish guidelines and study long-term benefits to validate biofeedback's role in sports.

1. Biofeedback in Sports
Chantea Goetz
M.S. Sports Psychology
Capella University
PSY8840

2. Objectives
 The history of biofeedback
 What is biofeedback?
 How does it benefit sports?
 Who is the target audience?
 Advances in technology of
biofeedback

3. Table of Contents
What is Biofeedback?
History
Theories
Biofeedback in Sports
Performance anxiety
Optimal performance
Injury recovery
Athlete Diversity
Advantages/Disadvantages
Technology
The latest advances in neuroimaging
Conclusion
References

4. What is Biofeedback?
 Biofeedback is a process that enables an individual to
learn how to change physiological activity for the
purposes of improving health and performance (AASB,
2011).
 Utilizing the proper techniques can help to alleviate issues
such as performance anxiety, depression, headaches, and
symptoms related to injuries such as traumatic brain injury or
concussions, as well as improve attention and focus.

5. Biofeedback in Action

6. Inception of Biofeedback
 The official history of American biofeedback started in
1969 at the Surf Rider Inn in Santa Monica, California.

 Biofeedback Research Society (BRS) was born. In
1976, the BRS was renamed the Biofeedback Society
of America (BSA), and in 1989, it was renamed the
Association for Applied Psychophysiology and
Biofeedback (AAPB).

 Biofeedback belongs to both practitioners and
researchers, and it intersects multiple disciplines and
perspectives such as humanistic and transpersonal
psychology, neuroscience, neurology, parapsychology,
internal medicine, sports coaching, nursing, somatic
therapy, psychology, physical therapy, and
consciousness studies (Peper & Shaffer, 2010).

7. Theories
 Operant conditioning is “a learning process in which
the likelihood of a specific behavior is increased or
decreased through positive or negative
reinforcement each time the behavior is exhibited,
so that the subject comes to associate the pleasure
or displeasure of the reinforcement with the
behavior (Operant Conditioning, ND).

 EEG Biofeedback is a learning strategy that enables
persons to alter their brain waves
(http://www.eegspectrum.com/faq/).

 In essence brain waves are being reformatted and
trained to function in a new way in order to change
a behavior.

8. Unlimited Potential

9. Theories
 Another key theory behind the use of biofeedback or neurofeedback is the
theory of self-regulation. The self-regulation theory (SRT) is a system of
conscious personal management that involves the process of guiding
one's own thoughts, behaviors, and feelings to reach goals. Self-
regulation consists of several stages, and individuals must function as
contributors to their own motivation, behavior, and development within a
network of reciprocally interacting influences (Wikipedia, 2016).
 This is one of the core requirements in using BF to improve athletic
performance as demonstrated in the following studies.

10. Uses in Sports
According to Hammond (2007), biofeedback can
also be used to improve concentration and focus,
to improve cognitive function and emotional
control following concussions and mild head
injuries, and it has untapped potential to increase
physical balance in gymnastics, ice skating, skiing,
and other areas of performance (Hammond,
2007).

11. Mind/Body Connection

12. The Effect of Heart Rate Variability
Biofeedback on Performance
Psychology of Basketball Players
 The present study has been designed to examine the relationship
between anxiety and performance and also effectiveness of
biofeedback protocol to create stress-eliciting situation in
basketball players (Paul & Garg, 2012).
 Thirty basketball players of university level and above aged 18–28
years, male and female, were randomly divided into three equal
groups- Experimental (Biofeedback) group, Placebo group and
Control (NoTreatment) group.
 The BFB group received HRV BFB training for 10 consecutive days
for 20 min that included breathing at individual’s resonant
frequency through a pacing stimulus; Placebo group was shown
motivational video clips for 10 consecutive days for 10 min,
whereas No Treatment Control group was not given any
intervention.
 The results of the study support the idea that HRV BFB lowers the
anxiety and thus there seems to be a potential association between
HRV BFB and performance optimization (Paul & Garg, 2012).

13. PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT AND STRESS
REDUCTION USING BIOFEEDBACK WITH WOMEN
COLLEGIATE VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS
 The purpose of this research was to investigate
the effects of heart rhythm variability (HRV)
biofeedback training with emotional regulation
on the athletic performance of women collegiate
volleyball players (Tanis, 2012).

 Individual biofeedback training using Heart
Math's emWave® PC (1.0) was provided to 13
student-athletes during six weekly sessions.

 The qualitative analysis revealed numerous
benefits of the intervention including a reduction
of physical and mental stress, and an
enhancement of physical and mental states
improving academic and athletic performance
(Tanis, 2012).

14. Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback as a
Strategy for Dealing with Competitive
Anxiety: A Case Study
 To investigate heart rate variability biofeedback further, a
qualitative case study examined the impact of HRV BFB on
the mood, physiology, and sport performance of a 14-year-
old golfer.

 The golfer met once per week at a university lab for 10
consecutive sessions of HRV BFB training that included
breathing at a frequency of 0.1 Hz.

 Following HRV BFB, the golfer achieved his personal record
score for 18 holes of golf, and his mean golf score (total
number of shots per 18 holes of golf) was 15 shots lower
than in his previous golf season. The golfer received no
golf instructions during HRV BFB training. The results of
this case study suggest that HRV BFB training may help
the athlete cope with the stress of competition and/or
improve neuromuscular function (Lagos, Vaschillo, E.,
Vaschillo, B., Lehrer, Bates, & Pandina, 2008).

15. Biofeedback in Golf

16. Developing a Performance Brain
Training
TM Approach for Baseball: A Process
Analysis with Descriptive Data
 This study presented data of five development players from a
major league baseball team. The aims were to evaluate the
feasibility of conducting sessions within a professional
organization, assess changes in quantitative
electroencephalograph (QEEG), NeuroPerformance Profile TM,
and report qualitative self-report data before and after brain
training.

 The QEEG data, CPT data and NeuroPerformance Profile TM data
were all compared between the pre and post 15 sessions of brain
training using a within subject paired t test design corrected for
multiple comparisons using false discovery rate method (Sherlin,
L. H., Larson, & Sherlin, R. M., 2013).

 The QEEG findings of all participants illustrated significant
changes within the training parameters. Thus the positive
findings in both objective and subjective measures suggest
further inquiry into the utility of brain training for performance
enhancement with the specific application of sport is warranted.

17. Neurofeedback training for peak
performance.
 The aim of the paper was to study whether the intensive
neurofeedback training of a well-functioning Olympic
athlete who has lost his performance confidence after injury
in sport, could change the brain functioning reflected in
changes in spontaneous EEG and event related potentials
(ERPs) (Graczyk, Pachalska, Ziołkowski, Mańko,
Lukaszewska,Kochanowicz, Kropotov, 2014).

 He wanted to resume his activities by means of
neurofeedback training. His QEEG/ERP parameters were
assessed before and after 4 intensive sessions of
neurotherapy. Dramatic and statistically significant changes
that could not be explained by error measurement were
observed in the patient.

 It can be concluded that that even a few sessions of
neurofeedback in a high performance brain can significantly
activate the prefrontal cortical areas associated with
increasing confidence in sport performance.

18. Toward a psychophysiology of
performance: Sport psychology
principles dealing with anxiety.
 A unique and innovative internal
imagery/video/electroencephalogram (EEG) biofeedback
protocol was used to train visual attention and increase self-
confidence of a collegiate baseball player struggling to
recover from a serious eye injury (Davis & Simi, 2005).

 Results from the next competitive season revealed that self-
confidence increased and hitting and fielding performance
improved dramatically after receiving biofeedback therapy.

 Although EEG biofeedback has been slow to gain acceptance
among applied practitioners, used in conjunction with video
and internal imagery, it appears to have potential as a tool for
training visual attention in athletes within a variety of
externally paced sports, such as baseball, softball, and
racquet sports (Davis & Simi, 2005).

19. The Road to Recovery

20. Summary of Biofeedback
Studies
 Biofeedback is gaining more popularity and
acceptance in the field of sports psychology
and neuroscience for improving athletic
performance.

 Biofeedback is instrumental in gaining control
over physiological responses to stress and
anxiety, thus improving performance.

 Attention and focus are improved through the
use of biofeedback.

 Athletes are able to recover from serious
injuries utilizing biofeedback.

21. Athlete Diversity
 Advantages of biofeedback
 Athletes of all ages and genders can benefit
from the use of biofeedback.
 Biofeedback is proven to be effective in the
areas of performance anxiety, stress, injury,
optimal performance, and focus.
 Athletes can use these skills on and off the field.

 Disadvantages
 A trained professional needs to perform the
sessions.
 Not all athletes have access to biofeedback.
 The amount of sessions needed to see
improvements varies per athlete.

22. Advancing Sports through
Biofeedback
 Future Work

 There is a need to conduct more longitudinal studies on the
long-term benefits of biofeedback on athletic performance.

 Cross-sectional studies on the benefits of biofeedback in
recovering from traumatic brain injuries would allow for the
general population to implement this treatment on other
injuries such as strokes.

 More consistent guidelines and protocols are in order to
improve the psychometric properties of biofeedback.

 Furthering the education of coaches, parents, and sports
psychologists on the benefits of biofeedback is essential for
this treatment to become more mainstream.

23. Paving the Way

24. Technology in Sports
Training
 Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
 Neurofeedback/Biofeedback
 Virtual Reality (VR) training
 Eye-tracking glasses

 According to Zaichkowsky (2006) ,we need experts
in technology, sport, basic science, and statistical
methods that will enable us to get answers to
important practical questions (Zaichkowsky, 2006).

 The use of technology can pave the way to a better
understanding of how the mind/connection of an
athlete experiences stress, anxiety, competition,
trauma or serious injury, and how to improve
athletic performance.

25. Conclusion
 Biofeedback provides and opportunity for
athletes to improve athletic performance, reduce
anxiety, and increase focus and attention.

 Biofeedback aids in the recovery process of
serious injuries.

 Evidence suggests the use of biofeedback as a
therapeutic modality is very beneficial for
athletes on and off the field.

 Future studies should be conducted to increase
the value of the psychometric properties.

 Coaches should look into finding qualified
practitioners to assist their athletes.

26. References:
Davis, P. A., & Sime, W. E. (2005). Toward a psychophysiology of performance: Sport
psychology principles dealing with anxiety. International Journal Of Stress
Management, 12(4), 363-378. doi:10.1037/1072-5245.12.4.363
EEG Biofeedback (2014) Frequently asked questions EEG Education and Research Inc.
Retrieved from: http://www.eegspectrum.com/faq/
Graczyk, M., Pachalska, M., Ziółkowski, A., Mańko, G., Łukaszewska, B., Kochanowicz, K.,
Kropotov, I. (2014). Neurofeedback training for peak performance. Annals of
Agricultural and Environmental Medicine Ann Agric Environ Med, 21(4), 871-875.
doi: 10.5604/12321966.1129950 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25528937
Hammond, D. (2007) Neurofeedback for the Enhancement of Athletic Performance and
Physical Balance The Journal of the American Board of Sport Psychology Volume
1-2007; Article # 1 Retrieved from:
http://www.americanboardofsportpsychology.org/portals/24/absp-
journalhammond1.pdf
Lagos, L., Vaschillo, E., Vaschillo, B., Lehrer, P., Bates, M., & Pandina, R. (2008). Heart
Rate Variability Biofeedback as a Strategy for Dealing with Competitive Anxiety: A
Case Study. Biofeedback, 36(3), 109-115. Retrieved from http://
www.drleahlagos.com/docs/biof_heart_rate-1-Dr. Lagos.pdf
Operant Conditioning. (n.d.) American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language,
Fifth Edition. (2011). Retrieved from:http://www.thefreedictionary.com/operant
+conditioning

27. References:
Paul, M., & Garg, K. (2012). The effect of heart rate variability biofeedback on
performance psychology of basketball players. Applied Psychophysiology and
Biofeedback, 37(2), 131-44. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10484-012-9185-2
Peper, Erik,PhD., B.C.B., & Shaffer, Fred,PhD., B.C.B. (2010). Biofeedback history: An
alternative view. Biofeedback (Online), 38(4), 142-147. Retrieved from http://
search.proquest.com.library.capella.edu/docview/871225642?accountid=27965
Sherlin, L. H., Larson, N. C., & Sherlin, R. M. (2013). Developing a performance brain
training(TM) approach for baseball: A process analysis with descriptive data.
Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 38(1), 29-44. doi:http://dx.doi.org/
10.1007/s10484-012-9205-2
Tanis, C. J. (2012). PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT AND STRESS REDUCTION USING
BIOFEEDBACK WITH WOMEN COLLEGIATE VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS. Athletic Insight,
4(2), 127-140. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.library.capella.edu/
docview/1698634446?accountid=27965
Wikipedia (2016) Self-regulation Theory. Retrieved from:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-regulation_theory
Zaichkowsky, L. (2006) ndustry Challenges Facing Sport Psychology Retrieved from:
http://www.athleticinsight.com/Vol8Iss3/IndustryChallenges.htm