Benefits of EEG theta rhythm analyses for athletic training and competitive progress systems

ˑ: 

PhD N.A. Karatygin1
PhD I.I. Korobeinikova1
Y.A. Venerina2
1P.K. Anokhin Research Institute of Normal Physiology, Moscow
2I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow

Objective of the study was to analyze benefits of the EEG theta rhythm tests for competitive performance rating purposes in some sports disciplines, with the EEG theta-activity rates applicable as the competitive progress biomarkers.
Results and conclusion. Subject of the study was a correlation of the EEG theta rhythm amplitude with the individual attention control; plus a clear correlation between the frontal-medial theta rhythm amplitude and competitive progress found by a few studies. Some studies found the theta rhythm amplitudes for the sports professionals and beginners showing expressed differences that may be interpreted as indicative of the skills levels, with the theta rhythm rates applicable for the skill set rating purposes. Of special interest were analyses of the theta rhythm amplitude fluctuation profiles as biomarkers of the skill difficulty levels and state anxiety in sports.
Subject to the study was also transcranial magnetic stimulation (with the theta packing protocols) methods used to correct the psycho-emotional controls, optimize attention and motor memorizing mechanisms for a faster progress in the athletic skills mastering and excellence process. Of special importance in this context was the finding that transcranial magnetic stimulation of motor cortex improves the anaerobic performance. It should be emphasized, however, that the fast progress of the transcranial magnetic stimulation methods is associated with some risks as steps up the pre-competitive mental and physical fitness and, hence, may be interpreted as a sort of "neural doping". The study data and analyses give the grounds to conclude that the theta-rhythm-harmonized frequencies may be beneficial for precompetitive mental conditioning, with the EEG theta rhythm amplitude applicable as promising biomarkers for the training system improvements and competitive progress.

Keywords: theta rhythm, EEG, sport, competitive progress.

References

  1. Anokhin P.K. Biologiya i neyrofiziologiya uslovnogo refleksa [Biolo­gy and neurophysiology of conditioned reflex]. Moscow: Meditsina publ., 1968. 546 p.
  2. Korobeinikova I.I., Karatygin N.A. Rol nizkochastotnogo diapazona teta-ritma EEG cheloveka v protsessakh pereklyucheniya vnimaniya v usloviyakh ekzogennykh pomekh [Role of low-frequency range of EEG theta rhythm in switching attention processes under exogenous interference]. Akademicheskiy zhurnal Zapadnoy Sibiri. 2019. No. 15 (4). pp. 24-26.
  3. Cherny S.V., Mishin N.P., Nagaeva E.I. Osobennosti elektroentsefalogrammy sportsmenov atsiklicheskikh vidov sporta [Features of electroencephalogram in acyclic athletes]. Uchenye zapiski Krymskogo federalnogo universiteta im. V.I. Vernadskogo. Biologiya. Khimiya. 2016. No. 2 (3).
  4. Anderkova L., Pizem D., Klobusiakova P., Gajdos M., Koritakova E., Rektorova I. Theta burst stimulation enhances connectivity of the dorsal attention network in young healthy subjects: an exploratory study. Neural plasticity. 2018.
  5. Cheron G., Petit G., Cheron J., Leroy A., Cebolla A., Cevallos C., Petieau M., Hoellinger T., Zarka D., Clarinval A.M., Dan B. Brain oscillations in sport: toward EEG biomarkers of performance. Frontiers in psychology. 2016. No. 7. p.246.
  6. Chuang L.Y., Huang C.J.,Hung T.M. The differences in frontal midline theta power between successful and unsuccessful basketball free throws of elite basketball players. InternationalJournalofPsychophysiology. 2013. No. 90(3). pp. 321-328.
  7. Clayton M.S., Yeung N., Kadosh R.C. The roles of cortical oscillations in sustained attention. Trends in cognitive sciences. 2015. No.19 (4). pp.188-195.
  8. Cross-Villasana F., Gröpel P., Ehrlenspiel F., Beckmann, J. Central theta amplitude as a negative correlate of performance proficiency in a dynamic visuospatial task. Biological Psychology. 2018. No.132. pp.37-44.
  9. Davis N.J. Neurodoping: brain stimulation as a performance-enhancing measure. Sports Medicine. 2013. No.43(8). pp. 649-653.
  10. Doppelmayr M., Finkenzeller T.,Sauseng P. Frontal midline theta in the pre-shot phase of rifle shooting: differences between experts and novices. Neuropsychologia.2008. No. 46(5). pp. 1463-1467.
  11. Ghassemzadeh H., Rothbart M.K., Posner M.I. Anxiety and brain networks of attentional control. Cognitive And Behavioral Neurology. 2019. No. 32(1). pp.54-62.
  12. Giboin L.S., Thumm P., Bertschinger R., Gruber M. Intermittent theta burst over m1 may increase peak power of a wingate anaerobic test and prevent the reduction of voluntary activation measured with transcranial magnetic stimulation. Frontiers in behavioral neuroscience. 2016. No. 10. p.150.
  13. Kao S.C., Huang C.J., Hung T.M. Frontal midline theta is a specific indicator of optimal attentional engagement during skilled putting performance. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. 2013. No. 35(5). pp. 470-478.
  14. Klimesch W.EEG alpha and theta oscillations reflect cognitive and memory performance: a review and analysis. Brain. 1999. No. 29. pp. 169-95.
  15. Sultanov M., İsmailova K. EEG rhythms in prefrontal cortex as predictors of anxiety among youth soccer players. Translational Sports Medicine. 2019. No.2(4). pp. 203-208.
  16. Teo J. T., Swayne O. B., Cheeran B., Greenwood R. J., Rothwell J. C. Human theta burst stimulation enhances subsequent motor lear­ning and increases performance variability. Cerebral cortex. 2011.No. 21(7). pp. 1627-1638.
  17. Wascher E., Rasch B., Sänger J., Hoffmann S., Schneider D., Rinkenauer G., Heuer H., Gutberlet, I. Frontal theta activity reflects distinct aspects of mental fatigue. Biological psychology. 2014. No. 96. pp. 57-65.