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Giustino V, Bonaventura RE, Messina G, Patti A, Pillitteri G, Pajaujiene S, Paoli A, Palma A, Bianco A, Oliveri M, Battaglia G. Acute effects of prismatic adaptation on penalty kick accuracy and postural control in young soccer players: A pilot study. Heliyon 2024; 10:e30515. [PMID: 38742074 PMCID: PMC11089356 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Prismatic adaptation (PA) is a visuomotor technique using prismatic glasses that are capable of moving the visual field and to affect the excitability of certain brain areas. The aim of this pilot study was to explore potential acute effects of PA on penalty kick accuracy and postural control in youth soccer players. Methods In this randomized crossover study, seven young male soccer players performed three PA sessions (rightward PA, r-PA; leftward PA, l-PA; sham PA, s-PA) with a washout period of 1-week between them. Immediately before and after each PA session, penalty kick accuracy and postural control were assessed. Results We detected an increase in penalty kick accuracy following PA, regardless of the deviation side of the prismatic glasses (F1,5 = 52.15; p = 0.08; ηp2 = 0.981). In detail, our results showed an increase in the penalty kick accuracy toward the right target of the football goal following r-PA and toward the left target of the football goal following l-PA. We detected a significant effect on the sway path length (F2,12 = 10.42; p = 0.002; ηp2 = 0.635) and the sway average speed (F2,12 = 9.17; p = 0.004; ηp2 = 0.605) parameters in the stabilometric test with open eyes following PA, regardless of the deviation side of the prismatic glasses. In detail, our results showed a significant difference in both the stabilometric parameters (p = 0.016 and p = 0.009, respectively) only following l-PA. Conclusion The findings of this pilot study indicate that PA could positively affect penalty kick accuracy and postural control suggesting that PA could be used as a visual training technique in athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Giustino
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Messina
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele University, Rome, Italy
- PLab Research Institute, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonino Patti
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Guglielmo Pillitteri
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Simona Pajaujiene
- Department of Coaching Science, Lithuanian Sports University, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Antonio Paoli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Antonio Palma
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Regional Sports School of Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) Sicilia, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonino Bianco
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Oliveri
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Battaglia
- Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Regional Sports School of Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) Sicilia, Palermo, Italy
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Hinton J, Brantley S, Berulava E, Kim S, Kamel M, Lungstrom N, Martin K, Walser R, Selski D. Use of Stroboscopic Goggles in Suture Training Improves Precision and Accuracy. Am Surg 2024; 90:502-509. [PMID: 38124318 DOI: 10.1177/00031348231216493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to quantify the impact of intermittent visual occlusion via stroboscopic goggles on suture accuracy and precision. METHODS This crossover study recruited and randomized 72 graduate students to train with stroboscopic goggles early or late in structured suture practice. Participants completed assessments of 10 running sutures with 2 training sessions between baseline and follow-up assessments. The procedure was repeated after crossover. Suture photos were analyzed using ImageJ. Total error among all measurements represented accuracy; standard deviation of error represented precision. Intra- and inter-group trends were identified with Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. RESULTS Both groups significantly improved in accuracy in the sessions immediately following goggle use, but the group that used goggles later in training continued improving in accuracy and precision while the group that trained with stroboscopic goggles early plateaued. CONCLUSIONS Using stroboscopic goggles showed quantifiable benefit for augmenting suture training with greatest effect after initial skill acquisition is completed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Hinton
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, Yakima, WA, USA
| | - Steven Brantley
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, Yakima, WA, USA
| | - Ekaterina Berulava
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, Yakima, WA, USA
| | - Sean Kim
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, Yakima, WA, USA
| | - Makrina Kamel
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, Yakima, WA, USA
| | - Nate Lungstrom
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, Yakima, WA, USA
| | - Katelyn Martin
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, Yakima, WA, USA
| | - Ronald Walser
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, Yakima, WA, USA
| | - Daniel Selski
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, Yakima, WA, USA
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Zwierko M, Jedziniak W, Popowczak M, Rokita A. Effects of six-week stroboscopic training program on visuomotor reaction speed in goal-directed movements in young volleyball players: a study focusing on agility performance. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 2024; 16:59. [PMID: 38424539 PMCID: PMC10905827 DOI: 10.1186/s13102-024-00848-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In team sports, deficits in visuomotor reaction speed are considered a significant and modifiable risk factor that can lead to decreased performance and an increased risk of injuries. Thus, identifying effective methods to enhance visuomotor abilities is crucial. The main objective of this research was to investigate the impact of a six-week stroboscopic intervention on visuomotor reaction speed in goal-directed specific movements based on agility among young volleyball players. Additionally, the study aimed to explore the impact of saccade dynamics on visuomotor reaction speed performance throughout the experiment. METHODS There were 50 athletes (26 males and 24 females) with an average age of 16.5 years (± 0.6) who participated in this study. Over a six-week training period, athletes performed volleyball-specific training either wearing stroboscopic glasses (intervention) or under normal visual conditions (control). Prior to and after the training period, the agility tests based on change-of-direction speed (CODS) and reactive agility (RA) were used to identify visuomotor reaction speed performance. To measure agility performance a five-repetition shuttle run to gates was conducted. The REAC-INDEX, which represents visuomotor reaction speed, was analyzed as the resulting difference between the CODS test and the RA test. To elicit saccadic dynamics, a laboratory visual search task was performed. RESULTS A significant GROUP×TIME interaction was observed for the REAC-INDEX (p = 0.012, ηp2 = 0.13). ANCOVA analyses revealed significant GROUP differences, indicating improved post-training REAC-INDEX results (p = 0.004, d = 0.87), regardless of gender. Training-induced modulations in saccade acceleration did not reach significance, but a significant relationship was observed between changes in saccade acceleration and changes in the REAC-INDEX (r = -0.281, p = 0.048), indicating that higher performance gains following training were associated with a stronger increase in saccade acceleration. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that stroboscopic training effectively enhances visuomotor reaction speed in goal-directed movements based on agility. Furthermore, visuomotor reaction speed gains could potentially be mediated by saccade dynamics. These findings provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of stroboscopic eyewear for training sport-specific visuomotor skills among young volleyball players.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Zwierko
- Department of Team Sports Games, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Wojciech Jedziniak
- Institute of Physical Culture Sciences, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Marek Popowczak
- Department of Team Sports Games, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Andrzej Rokita
- Department of Team Sports Games, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
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Zwierko T, Jedziniak W, Domaradzki J, Zwierko M, Opolska M, Lubiński W. Electrophysiological Evidence of Stroboscopic Training in Elite Handball Players: Visual Evoked Potentials Study. J Hum Kinet 2024; 90:57-69. [PMID: 38380298 PMCID: PMC10875695 DOI: 10.5114/jhk/169443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Stroboscopic training enhances perceptual cognition and motor skills; however, neurophysiological mechanisms underlying this adaptation are not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a six-week stroboscopic training program on the conductivity of the visual pathway in elite handball players, specifically related to their visual processing of retinal location and viewing conditions. The study included 22 handball players who were randomly assigned to an experimental or a control group. Both groups performed handball-specific in-situ tasks, but only the experimental group underwent stroboscopic training. Participants were assessed three times using visually evoked potential recordings measured by P100 implicit time and amplitude under three viewing conditions (dominant eye, non-dominant eye, and binocular) and two retinal locations (extra-foveal and foveal vision) before and after the six-week training period, and again four weeks later. The results showed a significant TIME vs. GROUP effect of P100 implicit time for the dominant eye in extra-foveal vision (F2,40 = 5.20, p = 0.010, ηp2 = 0.206), extra-foveal binocular viewing (F2,40 = 3.32, p = 0.046, ηp2 = 0.142), and dominant eye foveal vision (F2,40 = 4.07, p = 0.025, ηp2 = 0.169). Stroboscopic training significantly improved early visual processing by reducing the P100 implicit time for the dominant eye and binocular vision, particularly in extra-foveal vision. The improvements were more noticeable in the short compared to the long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Zwierko
- Institute of Physical Culture Sciences, Laboratory of Kinesiology, Functional and Structural Human Research Center, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Wojciech Jedziniak
- Institute of Physical Culture Sciences, Laboratory of Kinesiology, Functional and Structural Human Research Center, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Jarosław Domaradzki
- Unit of Biostructure, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Michał Zwierko
- Department of Team Sports Games, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Marlena Opolska
- Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Wojciech Lubiński
- II Department of Ophthalmology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
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Strainchamps P, Ostermann M, Mierau A, Hülsdünker T. Stroboscopic Eyewear Applied During Warm-Up Does Not Provide Additional Benefits to the Sport-Specific Reaction Speed in Highly Trained Table Tennis Athletes. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2023; 18:1126-1131. [PMID: 37321564 DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2022-0426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE While long-term training with stroboscopic eyewear suggests performance-enhancing effects on visuomotor abilities, it remains unclear whether a short-term application, for example, during a warm-up, results in immediate performance gains. This study evaluated potential performance-enhancing effects of stroboscopic eyewear applied during warm-up on reaction speed that may provide athletes an edge in visuomotor-demanding sports. METHODS Twenty-eight international-level table tennis athletes participated in this study. Participants performed their individual 10-minute table-tennis-specific warm-up under normal visual conditions and with stroboscopic eyewear. Prior to and after the warm-up, visuomotor reaction time was assessed in a sport-specific reaction test where athletes had to return 30 table tennis balls played by a ball machine at high speed to their backhand side. Reaction time was determined as the interval between ball output and movement onset as triggered by a mechanical switch. Furthermore, the time between ball-table contact and ball-racket contact (hit time) was analyzed as an indicator of how early the athletes intercepted the ball. RESULTS Reaction time significantly improved following the warm-up (P < .001, ηp2=.393). However, there was no additional benefit of the stroboscopic eyewear (P = .338, ηp2=.034). No changes after the warm-up were observed for hit time (P = .246, ηp2=.055). CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that warm-up facilitated visuomotor reaction speed; however, stroboscopic eyewear did not provide additional positive effects when compared to a warm-up under normal visual conditions. While shutter glasses may be useful for training over longer periods, short-term positive effects were not supported in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Strainchamps
- Department of Exercise and Sport Science, LUNEX International University of Health, Exercise and Sports, Differdange,Luxembourg
| | | | - Andreas Mierau
- Department of Exercise and Sport Science, LUNEX International University of Health, Exercise and Sports, Differdange,Luxembourg
- Luxembourg Health & Sport Sciences Research Institute (LHSSRI), Differdange,Luxembourg
- Institute of Movement and Neurosciences, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne,Germany
| | - Thorben Hülsdünker
- Department of Exercise and Sport Science, LUNEX International University of Health, Exercise and Sports, Differdange,Luxembourg
- Luxembourg Health & Sport Sciences Research Institute (LHSSRI), Differdange,Luxembourg
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Zwierko M, Jedziniak W, Popowczak M, Rokita A. Effects of in-situ stroboscopic training on visual, visuomotor and reactive agility in youth volleyball players. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15213. [PMID: 37250711 PMCID: PMC10211363 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Stroboscopic training is based on an exercise with intermittent visual stimuli that force a greater demand on the visuomotor processing for improving performance under normal vision. While the stroboscopic effect is used as an effective tool to improve information processing in general perceptual-cognitive tasks, there is still a lack of research focused on identifying training protocols for sport-specific settings. Therefore, we aimed at assessing the effects of in-situ stroboscopic training on visual, visuomotor and reactive agility in young volleyball players. Methods Fifty young volleyball athletes (26 males and 24 females; mean age, 16.5 ± 0.6 years) participated in this study and were each divided randomly into an experimental group and a control group, who then both performed identical volleyball-specific tasks, with the experimental group under stroboscopic influence. The participants were evaluated three times using laboratory based tests for simple and complex reaction speed, sensory sensitivity and saccade dynamics; before the after the 6-week-long training (short-term effect) and 4 weeks later (long-term effect). In addition, a field test investigated the effects of the training on reactive agility. Results A significant TIME vs GROUP effect was observed for (1) simple motor time (p = 0.020, ηp2 = 0.08), with improvement in the stroboscopic group in the post-test and retention test (p = 0.003, d = 0.42 and p = 0.027, d = 0.35, respectively); (2) complex reaction speed (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.22), with a large post-test effect in the stroboscopic group (p < 0.001, d = 0.87) and a small effect in the non-stroboscopic group (p = 0.010, d = 0.31); (3) saccade dynamics (p = 0.011, ηp2 = 0.09), with post-hoc tests in the stroboscopic group not reaching significance (p = 0.083, d = 0.54); and (4) reactive agility (p = 0.039, ηp2 = 0.07), with a post-test improvement in the stroboscopic group (p = 0.017, d = 0.49). Neither sensory sensitivity nor simple reaction time was statistically significantly affected as a result of the training (p > 0.05). A significant TIME vs GENDER effect was observed for saccadic dynamics (p = 0.003, ηp2 = 0.226) and reactive agility (p = 0.004, ηp2 = 0.213), with stronger performance gains in the females. Conclusions There was a larger effectiveness from the 6-week volleyball-specific training in the stroboscopic group compared to the non-stroboscopic group. The stroboscopic training resulted in significant improvements on most measures (three of five) of visual and visuomotor function with more marked enhancement in visuomotor than in sensory processing. Also, the stroboscopic intervention improved reactive agility, with more pronounced performance gains for short-term compared to the long-term changes. Gender differences in response to the stroboscopic training are inconclusive, therefore our findings do not offer a clear consensus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Zwierko
- Department of Team Sports Games, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Wojciech Jedziniak
- Institute of Physical Culture Sciences, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Marek Popowczak
- Department of Team Sports Games, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Andrzej Rokita
- Department of Team Sports Games, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
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Hülsdünker T, Fontaine G, Mierau A. Stroboscopic vision prolongs visual motion perception in the central nervous system. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2023; 33:47-54. [PMID: 36111383 DOI: 10.1111/sms.14239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Stroboscopic training has repeatedly been shown to improve visual and visuomotor performance in sports. Although recent research suggests that stroboscopic vision puts a training stimulus to the central nervous system, the underlying mechanism how it affects motion perception and processing in the brain is still unknown. Twenty-six participants performed a computer-based simple reaction test in response to a visual motion stimulus under normal (baseline) and stroboscopic conditions (5 Hz frequency, 40% duty cycle) (stroboscopic). A third condition under normal vision intermittently stopped the motion stimulus at the same frequency and duty cycle as in the stroboscopic condition. This condition controlled for the amount of visual motion information independent of the shutter glasses (screen shutter) and provided information about the effect of luminance changes induced by the stroboscopic eyewear. A 64-channel EEG was recorded to determine the amplitude and latency of the N2 component as a correlate of visual motion perception in the motion-sensitive visual area MT. Reaction time under stroboscopic conditions was significantly delayed when compared to both the baseline (p < 0.001) and screen shutter (p < 0.001) conditions. This was accompanied by a significantly prolonged N2 latency (p < 0.001) and lower N2 amplitude (p < 0.001) with the shutter glasses. There was no difference in reaction time or N2 amplitude/latency between the baseline and screen shutter condition (p ≥ 0.176). Stroboscopic eyewear delays the speed of visual motion perception and processing in the central nervous system and reduces the visuomotor reaction speed. This may form the neurophysiological basis for performance gains following stroboscopic training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thorben Hülsdünker
- Department of Exercise and Sport Science, LUNEX International University of Health, Exercise and Sports, Differdange, Luxembourg.,Luxembourg Health & Sport Sciences Research Institute A.s.b.l., Differdange, Luxembourg
| | - Gaetan Fontaine
- Department of Exercise and Sport Science, LUNEX International University of Health, Exercise and Sports, Differdange, Luxembourg
| | - Andreas Mierau
- Department of Exercise and Sport Science, LUNEX International University of Health, Exercise and Sports, Differdange, Luxembourg.,Luxembourg Health & Sport Sciences Research Institute A.s.b.l., Differdange, Luxembourg.,German Sport University Cologne, Institute of Movement and Neurosciences, Cologne, Germany
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Tsai YY, Chen YC, Zhao CG, Hwang IS. Adaptations of postural sway dynamics and cortical response to unstable stance with stroboscopic vision in older adults. Front Physiol 2022; 13:919184. [PMID: 36105297 PMCID: PMC9465385 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.919184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Stroboscopic vision (SV), intermittent visual blocking, has recently been incorporated into postural training in rehabilitation. This study investigated interactions of postural fluctuation dynamics and cortical processing for the elderly during stabilometer stance with SV. Methods: Thirty-five healthy elderly maintained an upright stance on a stabilometer. Along with postural fluctuation dynamics, EEG relative power and EEG-EEG connectivity were used to contrast neuromechanical controls of stabilometer stance with SV and full-vision. Results: Compared with the full-vision, SV led to greater postural fluctuations with lower sample entropy and mean frequency (MF). SV also reduced regional power in the mid-frontal theta cluster, which was correlated to SV-dependent changes in the size of postural fluctuations. SV also enhanced the alpha band supra-threshold connectivity in the visual dorsal and frontal–occipital loops of the right hemisphere, and the supra-threshold connectivity from Fp2 positively related to variations in the MF of postural fluctuations. Conclusion: SV adds challenge to postural regulation on the stabilometer, with the increasing regularity of postural movements and fewer corrective attempts to achieve the postural goal. The elderly shift over-reliance on visual inputs for posture control with more non-visual awareness, considering deactivation of the dorsal visual stream and visual error processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ying Tsai
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ching Chen
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Medical Science and Technology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan
- Physical Therapy Room, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung City, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Guang Zhao
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan
| | - Ing-Shiou Hwang
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan
- Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Ing-Shiou Hwang,
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Hülsdünker T, Riedel D, Käsbauer H, Ruhnow D, Mierau A. Auditory Information Accelerates the Visuomotor Reaction Speed of Elite Badminton Players in Multisensory Environments. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:779343. [PMID: 34899221 PMCID: PMC8657147 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.779343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Although vision is the dominating sensory system in sports, many situations require multisensory integration. Faster processing of auditory information in the brain may facilitate time-critical abilities such as reaction speed however previous research was limited by generic auditory and visual stimuli that did not consider audio-visual characteristics in ecologically valid environments. This study investigated the reaction speed in response to sport-specific monosensory (visual and auditory) and multisensory (audio-visual) stimulation. Neurophysiological analyses identified the neural processes contributing to differences in reaction speed. Nineteen elite badminton players participated in this study. In a first recording phase, the sound profile and shuttle speed of smash and drop strokes were identified on a badminton court using high-speed video cameras and binaural recordings. The speed and sound characteristics were transferred into auditory and visual stimuli and presented in a lab-based experiment, where participants reacted in response to sport-specific monosensory or multisensory stimulation. Auditory signal presentation was delayed by 26 ms to account for realistic audio-visual signal interaction on the court. N1 and N2 event-related potentials as indicators of auditory and visual information perception/processing, respectively were identified using a 64-channel EEG. Despite the 26 ms delay, auditory reactions were significantly faster than visual reactions (236.6 ms vs. 287.7 ms, p < 0.001) but still slower when compared to multisensory stimulation (224.4 ms, p = 0.002). Across conditions response times to smashes were faster when compared to drops (233.2 ms, 265.9 ms, p < 0.001). Faster reactions were paralleled by a lower latency and higher amplitude of the auditory N1 and visual N2 potentials. The results emphasize the potential of auditory information to accelerate the reaction time in sport-specific multisensory situations. This highlights auditory processes as a promising target for training interventions in racquet sports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thorben Hülsdünker
- Department of Exercise and Sport Science, LUNEX International University of Health, Exercise and Sports, Differdange, Luxembourg.,Luxembourg Health & Sport Sciences Research Institute A.s.b.l., Differdange, Luxembourg
| | - David Riedel
- Institute of Movement and Neurosciences, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Diemo Ruhnow
- German Badminton Association, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Andreas Mierau
- Department of Exercise and Sport Science, LUNEX International University of Health, Exercise and Sports, Differdange, Luxembourg.,Luxembourg Health & Sport Sciences Research Institute A.s.b.l., Differdange, Luxembourg.,Institute of Movement and Neurosciences, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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Hülsdünker T, Mierau A. Visual Perception and Visuomotor Reaction Speed Are Independent of the Individual Alpha Frequency. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:620266. [PMID: 33897344 PMCID: PMC8060564 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.620266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
While the resting-state individual alpha frequency (IAF) is related to the cognitive performance and temporal resolution of visual perception, it remains unclear how it affects the neural correlates of visual perception and reaction processes. This study aimed to unravel the relation between IAF, visual perception, and visuomotor reaction time. One hundred forty-eight (148) participants (28 non-athletes, 39 table tennis players, and 81 badminton players) investigated in three previous studies were considered. During a visuomotor reaction task, the visuomotor reaction time (VMRT) and EMG onset were determined. In addition, a 64-channel EEG system identified the N2, N2-r, and BA6 negativity potentials representing the visual and motor processes related to visuomotor reactions. Resting-state individual alpha frequency (IAF) in visual and motor regions was compared based on sport experience (athletes vs. non-athletes), discipline (badminton vs. table tennis), and reaction performance (fast vs. medium vs. slow reaction time). Further, the differences in the IAF were determined in relation to the speed of neural visual (high vs. medium vs. low N2/N2-r latency) and motor (high vs. medium vs. low BA6 negativity latency). Group comparisons did not reveal any difference in the IAF between athletes and non-athletes (p = 0.352, η p 2 = 0.02) or badminton and table tennis players (p = 0.221, η p 2 = 0.02). Similarly, classification based on the behavioral or neural performance indicators did not reveal any effects on the IAF (p ≥ 0.158, η p 2 ≤ 0.027). IAF was not correlated to any of the behavioral or neural parameters (r ≤ 0.10, p ≥ 0.221). In contrast to behavioral results on cognitive performance and visual temporal resolution, the resting state IAF seemed unrelated to the visual perception and visuomotor reaction speed in simple reaction tasks. Considering the previous results on the correlations between the IAF, cognitive abilities, and temporal sampling of visual information, the results suggest that a higher IAF may facilitate the amount and frequency but not the speed of information transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thorben Hülsdünker
- Department of Exercise and Sport Science, LUNEX International University of Health, Exercise and Sports, Differdange, Luxembourg
| | - Andreas Mierau
- Department of Exercise and Sport Science, LUNEX International University of Health, Exercise and Sports, Differdange, Luxembourg.,Institute of Movement and Neurosciences, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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