This study investigates the efficacy of neurofeedback training in enhancing focus and attentional control among athletes in precision sports, examining both neural and behavioral outcomes. A pilot intervention was conducted with X competitive athletes (e.g., archers, shooters) who underwent Y sessions of EEG-based neurofeedback targeting sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) or theta/beta ratio modulation. Pre- and post-training assessments included quantitative EEG analysis, standardized attention tests (e.g., TOVA), and self-reported focus metrics during simulated competition. A control group engaged in sham neurofeedback to account for placebo effects. Participants receiving active neurofeedback demonstrated significant improvements in SMR amplitude (p<0.05) and theta/beta ratio reduction (p<0.01), correlating with enhanced performance accuracy (15% increase, p<0.05) and faster reaction times. Subjective reports confirmed heightened concentration during high-pressure tasks, whereas the control group showed no statistically meaningful changes. EEG coherence analysis revealed strengthened frontoparietal connectivity, suggesting neuroplastic adaptations underlying cognitive gains. Neurofeedback appears effective in sharpening attentional regulation for precision sports, though individual variability and the need for protocol optimization warrant further investigation. These preliminary findings support integrating neurofeedback into athletic training regimens while highlighting the necessity for larger randomized trials to establish standardized protocols.
Fernandes et al. (Wed,) studied this question.