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Preparation for action: Psychophysiological activity preceding a motor skill as a function of expertise, performance outcome, and psychological pressure
Author(s) -
Cooke Andrew,
Kavussanu Maria,
Gallicchio Germano,
Willoughby Adrian,
McIntyre David,
Ring Christopher
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
psychophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.661
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1469-8986
pISSN - 0048-5772
DOI - 10.1111/psyp.12182
Subject(s) - psychology , biofeedback , electroencephalography , heart rate , action (physics) , neurofeedback , alpha (finance) , physical medicine and rehabilitation , developmental psychology , blood pressure , neuroscience , psychometrics , construct validity , physics , quantum mechanics , psychiatry , radiology , medicine
Abstract Knowledge of the psychophysiological responses that characterize optimal motor performance is required to inform biofeedback interventions. This experiment compared cortical, cardiac, muscular, and kinematic activity in 10 experts and 10 novices as they performed golf putts in low‐ and high‐pressure conditions. Results revealed that in the final seconds preceding movement, experts displayed a greater reduction in heart rate and EEG theta, high‐alpha, and beta power, when compared to novices. EEG high‐alpha power also predicted success, with participants producing less high‐alpha power in the seconds preceding putts that were holed compared to those that were missed. Increased pressure had little impact on psychophysiological activity. It was concluded that greater reductions in EEG high‐alpha power during preparation for action reflect more resources being devoted to response programming, and could underlie successful accuracy‐based performance.