Does the EEG differentiate experts from non-expert athletes?
What if we could differentiate experts from non-expert individuals? What if we could use a device to measure expertise? Recent studies have used neuroscientific tools aiming to differentiate individuals with different levels of expertise. Especially in the sporting context, researchers have hypothesized that more experienced athletes present improved cognitive performance and/or neuronal activity (e.g., neural efficiency). This is due to the fact that regular exercise may improve brain structure and function (creativity / Emotion).
In a recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology, Faro et al. (2020) compared cognitive performance in a selective attention task and neuroelectric activity between novice (i.e., white belts) and experienced (i.e., black belts) judo athletes. The athletes performed a GO/NOGO Stroop Color-Word Task while neuroelectric activity was measured using electroencephalography (EEG) with a BrainAmp MR with 64 channels. Despite there was a change in cognitive performance (accuracy and response time), the more experienced athletes presented greater P300 and N200 amplitude. The authors suggested that judo expertise might generate differences in the allocation of attentional and conflict detection neural resources. It worth noting that that study used a cognitive task not related to Judo itself. Instead, they used a more general cognitive task.
Source: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02838
Source: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02838
In a previous study published in Neuroimage, Denis et al. (2017) assessed brain processes during a tennis-related action observation and anticipation task in experts and non-experts tennis players. As expected, the expert players outperformed the non-experts on the anticipation task. Interestingly, EEG results found significant group differences in both the mu (8–13 Hz) and beta (15–25 Hz) frequency bands in sensorimotor components, with earlier and greater desynchronization in the experienced tennis players and only experienced players showed desynchronization in the high mu (11–13 Hz) band. The authors showed that motor expertise might modulate the mirror system during action observation and anticipation, which are unique to sensorimotor sources.
Source: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.10.022
Source: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.10.022
These results demonstrate that expertise induces functional changes that may facilitate decision making, especially in the task trained. As discussed in a previous post, EEG may also be used during exercise to measure brain activity.
References:
Faro et al. (2020). Influence of Judo Experience on Neuroelectric Activity During a Selective Attention Task. Frontiers in Psychology. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02838
Denis et al. (2017). The role of cortical sensorimotor oscillations in action anticipation. Neuroimage. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.10.022
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