Beneficial Impacts Of Psychobiological Conditioning Observed On Movement Coordination In Athletes

• Main Authors: Naresh Bhaskar, Raj, Soumendra, Saha, Nasreen, Wadud
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: RC1200 Sports Medicine
• Online Access: http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/6258/1/FH02-FSK-18-16140.pdf; http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/6258/

This study was conducted to investigate the role of biofeedback interventions carried out in different modalities, with an objective to improve movement coordination in athletes. Sixty-nine young male recreational athletes (matched in anthropometric, cardiovascular and performance status) identified as having disrupted emotionality and deficiency in movement coordination were recruited as participant. Participants were subjected to assessment of psychobiological (skin conductance or Sc orienting reflex activity judged by ERP of autonomic and peripheral measures of arousal) and psychomotor attributes (lateral motor control and bilateral movement coordination parameters) in relation to performance excellence in soccer. Participants were categorised into three groups, viz. Group A nointervention control group, Group B experimental group I (received Sc biofeedback training) and Group C experimental II (received electromyography or EMG biofeedback training). Interventions followed for 15 minutes/ session, 2 sessions/week for 16 weeks. After the eighth week of intervention, mid-term analysis on all the parameters was carried out, and the post-intervention analyses were done after the 16th week of intervention. Furthermore, to evaluate the level of sustainability, post follow-up analysis of all the parameters of the baseline assessment as conducted to the participants. Two-way repeated measure of ANOVA revealed that both Sc and EMG biofeedback were found to facilitate in movement coordination, while Sc biofeedback training appeared as better effective technique in improving left and right lateral motor coordination and bilateral movement coordination performed in clockwise direction. Findings however clarified impact of enhanced psychobiological competence on improvement in movement coordination evident among Malaysian recreational athletes.