Visuomotor expertise and dimensional complexity of cerebral cortical activity

Hemispheric synchronization patterns linked with shooting performance in archers

Sustainable attention, effective visual-spatial perception, and motor control skills are considered highly important for achieving superior athletic performance. The aim of the current study was to investigate hemispheric synchronization patterns of brain electrical activation related to successful and unsuccessful shots of archers using electroencephalography (EEG). This study involved 16 elite archers, each shooting 36 arrows. The 10 shots closest to the target's center were successful, while the 10 farthest shots were unsuccessful. The transformed EEG data, obtained through surface Laplacian filtering, were divided into 5 sub-bands (theta, alpha1, alpha2, beta1, beta2) by calculating the alpha peak frequencies. The synchronization values of the electrode pairs were calculated using the Phase Locking Value (PLV) method. To compare the EEG data for successful and unsuccessful shots in all frequency bands, the linear mixed models were fitted. Perceived fatigue levels were quantified using a visual analog scale (VAS). Spearman's correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between fatigue and shooting performance. The results showed significantly higher coupling strength for C3-O1, C4-O2, O1-O2, F3-F4, C4-T8, T7-O2, F4-C4, C3-O2 and F4-T8 pairs during successful shooting. Moreover, the coupling strengths for F3-O2, F4-T7, C3-C4, C3-T8, T7-T8, C4-O1, F3-T8, and F4-O2 were significantly higher in unsuccessful shooting. The current findings revealed differences in the synchronization patterns associated with shooting performance. It is observed that visual-motor performance is correlated with an increase in cortical synchronization values during successful shots. These findings have the potential to serve as a theoretical reference that contributes to superior performance.

Evidence of Chaos in Electroencephalogram Signatures of Human Performance: A Systematic Review

(1) Background: Chaos, a feature of nonlinear dynamical systems, is well suited for exploring biological time series, such as heart rates, respiratory records, and particularly electroencephalograms. The primary purpose of this article is to review recent studies using chaos theory and nonlinear dynamical methods to analyze human performance in different brain processes. (2) Methods: Several studies have examined chaos theory and related analytical tools for describing brain dynamics. The present study provides an in-depth analysis of the computational methods that have been proposed to uncover brain dynamics. (3) Results: The evidence from 55 articles suggests that cognitive function is more frequently assessed than other brain functions in studies using chaos theory. The most frequently used techniques for analyzing chaos include the correlation dimension and fractal analysis. Approximate, Kolmogorov and sample entropy account for the largest proportion of entropy algorithms in the reviewed studies. (4) Conclusions: This review provides insights into the notion of the brain as a chaotic system and the successful use of nonlinear methods in neuroscience studies. Additional studies of brain dynamics would aid in improving our understanding of human cognitive performance.

Psychological skills training impacts autonomic nervous system responses to stress during sport-specific imagery: An exploratory study in junior elite shooters

This study investigated the effects of psychological skills training (PST) in shooters psychophysiologically using heart rate variability (HRV) in addition to psychological questionnaires and participant interviews. Five junior pistol shooters participated in an 8-week PST program consisting of a group session per week followed by individual counseling. Before and after PST, we collected electrocardiography data during rest, mental imagery of sport-related crisis situations, and successful performance, to analyze differences in HRV indices. Participants also responded to the Psychological Skills Inventory for Archery and Shooting (PSIAS), Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI), Sports Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Trait Sport Confidence Inventory (TSCI). Results showed that the perceived competence (pre: 2.52 ± 0.95, post: 3.36 ± 0.73, p = 0.049) and trait sport confidence (pre: 4.94 ± 1.17, post: 6.60 ± 0.65, p = 0.049) significantly improved after PST. The analysis of HRV indicated that the ratio of low-frequency power to high-frequency power (LF/HF ratio) decreased significantly during imagery of crisis (pre: 3.4 ± 2.3, post: 1.014 ± 0.71, p = 0.038) and success (pre: 1.933 ± 0.917, post: 0.988 ± 0.572, p = 0.046), reflecting a strengthened autonomic nervous system's responsiveness to stress. Our findings illustrate that PST can help athletes better cope with psychologically disturbed situations during competition, by providing psychophysiological evidence through HRV changes.

Relationship between pistol players' psychophysiological state and shot performance: Activation effect of EEG and HRV

OBJECTIVE

To understand the mechanism of dual activation of the brain and heart in pistol athletes during shooting performances, through synchronized monitoring of electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocardiogram (ECG).

METHODS

Eighteen adolescents air pistol athletes were placed in a simulated competition environment and performed 40 self-paced shooting tasks, and simultaneously monitored the athletes' EEG, ECG, and shooting performance during the preparation period.

RESULTS

(1) In the successful performance, the power values of the alpha wave of the athlete's T7 area showed a significant upward trend 6 s before the shot, but there was no significant change in the alpha wave in the T8 area. In the failure performance, the alpha wave in the T7 and T8 areas did not change significantly 6 s before the shot. (2) The Fz theta wave power value of athletes in successful performance showed a significant upward trend in the 6 s before firing, and in the failure performance, it showed an "inverted U-shaped" characteristic of rising first and then decreasing. (3) Regardless of whether it was a success or a failure, the SMR wave power value of the athlete's central area has no significant change before the shot. (4) At 6 s before the shot, the athlete's heart rate and R-R interval (RRI) in the successful performance showed a significant decline and rise, respectively, but there was no significant change in the failure performance. (5) Approaching the firing time, the athletes' EEG and ECG have a more significant correlation in successful performance and a more synchronized trend, while the correlation was lower in failure performance.

CONCLUSIONS

The psychophysiological state of young air pistol athletes was closely related to shooting performance. If the brain-cardiac system maintains a benign dual activation level during the aiming and firing period, it will be beneficial to the improvement of shooting performance, otherwise, it was easy to reduce shooting performance.

Atypical neural processing during the execution of complex sensorimotor behavior in autism

Stereotyped behavior is rhythmic, repetitive movement that is essentially invariant in form. Stereotypy is common in several clinical disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD), where it is considered maladaptive. However, it also occurs early in typical development (TD) where it is hypothesized to serve as the foundation on which complex, adaptive motor behavior develops. This transition from stereotyped to complex movement in TD is thought to be supported by sensorimotor integration. Stereotypy in clinical disorders may persist due to deficits in sensorimotor integration. The present study assessed whether differences in sensorimotor processing may limit the expression of complex motor behavior in individuals with ASD and contribute to the clinical stereotypy observed in this population. Adult participants with ASD and TD performed a computer-based stimulus-tracking task in the presence and absence of visual feedback. Electroencephalography was recorded during the task. Groups were compared on motor performance (root mean square error), motor complexity (sample entropy), and neural complexity (multiscale sample entropy of the electroencephalography signal) in the presence and absence of visual feedback. No group differences were found for motor performance or motor complexity. The ASD group demonstrated greater neural complexity and greater differences between feedback conditions than TD individuals, specifically in signals relevant to sensorimotor processing. Motor performance and motor complexity correlated with clinical stereotypy in the ASD group. These findings support the hypothesis that individuals with ASD have differences in sensorimotor processing when executing complex motor behavior and that stereotypy is associated with low motor complexity.

The suppression of brain activation in post-deployment military personnel with posttraumatic stress symptoms

Previous research using cognitive paradigms has found task-related activation that includes prefrontal brain structures and that is attenuated in association with posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). The present investigation used a cognitive control paradigm, the Arrows Task, to study subjects who had not sustained a traumatic brain injury during deployment and who had a wide range of scores on the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL). During the Arrows Task there was no significant activation within the full sample of 15 subjects, but deactivation was found within areas that are likely to be involved in cognitive control, including the dorsal anterior cingulate gyrus and parietal cortex. Exploratory analyses were also conducted to compare subjects with relatively high PTSS (HIGH PTSS, n = 7) to those with lower severity or no symptoms (LOW PTSS, n = 8). LOW PTSS subjects exhibited activation in nonfrontal brain areas and their activation was greater relative to the HIGH PTSS subjects. In contrast, the HIGH PTSS group had extensive deactivation and there was a negative relationship between activation and PCL scores within subcortical structures, the cerebellum, and higher-order cortical association areas. For the HIGH PTSS group there was also a positive relationship between PCL scores and activation within basic sensory and motor areas, as well as structures thought to have a role in emotion and the regulation of internal bodily states. These findings are consistent with widespread neural dysfunction in subjects with greater PTSS, including changes similar to those reported to occur with acute stress and elevated noradrenergic activity.

Reorganization and plastic changes of the human brain associated with skill learning and expertise

Novel experience and learning new skills are known as modulators of brain function. Advances in non-invasive brain imaging have provided new insight into structural and functional reorganization associated with skill learning and expertise. Especially, significant imaging evidences come from the domains of sports and music. Data from in vivo imaging studies in sports and music have provided vital information on plausible neural substrates contributing to brain reorganization underlying skill acquisition in humans. This mini review will attempt to take a narrow snapshot of imaging findings demonstrating functional and structural plasticity that mediate skill learning and expertise while identifying converging areas of interest and possible avenues for future research.

Visuo-attentional and sensorimotor alpha rhythms are related to visuo-motor performance in athletes

This study tested the two following hypotheses: (i) compared with non-athletes, elite athletes are characterized by a reduced cortical activation during the preparation of precise visuo-motor performance; (ii) in elite athletes, an optimal visuo-motor performance is related to a low cortical activation. To this aim, electroencephalographic (EEG; 56 channels; Be Plus EB-Neuro) data were recorded in 18 right-handed elite air pistol shooters and 10 right-handed non-athletes. All subjects performed 120 shots. The EEG data were spatially enhanced by surface Laplacian estimation. With reference to a baseline period, power decrease/increase of alpha rhythms during the preshot period indexed the cortical activation/deactivation (event-related desynchronization/synchronization, ERD/ERS). Regarding the hypothesis (i), low- (about 8-10 Hz) and high-frequency (about 10-12 Hz) alpha ERD was lower in amplitude in the elite athletes than in the non-athletes over the whole scalp. Regarding the hypothesis (ii), the elite athletes showed high-frequency alpha ERS (about 10-12 Hz) larger in amplitude for high score shots (50%) than for low score shots; this was true in right parietal and left central areas. A control analysis confirmed these results with another indicator of cortical activation (beta ERD, about 20 Hz). The control analysis also showed that the amplitude reduction of alpha ERD for the high compared with low score shots was not observed in the non-athletes. The present findings globally suggest that in elite athletes (experts), visuo-motor performance is related to a global decrease of cortical activity, as a possible index of spatially selective cortical processes ("neural efficiency").