MEDICAL AREA   

Medicina dello Sport 2017 September;70(3):344-53

DOI: 10.23736/S0025-7826.16.03011-8

Copyright © 2016 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English, Italian

Effect of neurofeedback training on self-talk and performance in elite and non-elite volleyball players

Fatemehsadat HOSSEINI, Ebrahim NOROUZI ✉

Department of Human Motor Behavior, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

BACKGROUND: The use of neurofeedback is growing rapidly in sport psychology. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of one session of neurofeedback training on self-talk and motor performance of elite and non-elite volleyball players.
METHODS: The subjects were 15 male elite volleyball players and 15 non-elite volleyball players. The research was conducted in three phases: pre-test, training neurofeedback and post-test. Training neurofeedback consists of sensorimotor rhythm and prevents training to the frequency of 12 Hz at T3. To analyze data, descriptive statistics and paired t-test was used.
RESULTS: The results indicated that the use of self-talk for elite and non-elite decreased at post-test, but this dwindling for the elite group was higher. Standard service score for elite volleyball and non-elite in the pre-test to post-test improved, but this increase was higher in the elite.
CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that there are effects among neurofeedback training, inner self-talk (analysis of skill) and athletic performance.

KEY WORDS: Sports psychology - Neurofeedback - Volleyball - Athletes