Brain Training for Better Athletic Performance

Biofeedback Techniques for Improving

Athletic Performance

Feedback

Neurofeedback Biofeedback
 What is biofeedback?
Biofeedback is the process of obtaining information
about psychophsiological or mind – body
interactions and “feeding” it back for training.
Various ways to obtain information:
• Heart rate
• Breathing
• Skin temperature
• Sweat gland activity
• Brain waves - neurofeedback
Heart rate variability feedback
(HRV)
A technology that has broad-
based applications.

Stress reduction,
rehabilitation, and
performance enhancement.
 L’HRV – What is it ?
 L’ HRV measures the natural
occurring beat to beat changes in
heart rate
 The heart rhythm or beat once
thought to be very regular, is
surprisingly irregular.
Why is HRV important and effective,
“ it facilitates the maintenance of a
physiologically efficient and highly
regenerative inner state,
characterized by reduced nervous
system chaos and increased
synchronization and harmony in
system-wide dynamics.” McCraty,
HeartMath research center.
 The Nervous System
 Central Nervous
System
 Peripheral Nervous
System
Organization of the Nervous System
 What can the HRV tell us?

 An indicator of Autonomic Function

and Physiological Coherence
 Window of Autonomic Function and
Balance
 Indicates physiological resiliency and
behavioral flexibility
 Indicates an individual’s capacity to
adapt to stress and enviromental
demands
While it is apparent that too
much instability or variation
is detrimental to
physiological function, it has
also become apparent that
too little variation is also
detrimental
 Variability in heart rate is due to the synergistic
action of the two branches of the autonomic
nervous system (ANS) or visceral nervous system
In a healthy individual, the HRV represents
the net effect of the parasympathetic
system (slows) and sympathetic system
(accelerates)

 HRV is influenced by emotions,

thoughts and physical exercise.
 Changing HRV affects not only the
heart, but also the brain’s ability to
process information ( decision-
making, problem-solving and
creativity.
 They also affect how we feel
L’ HRV is a viable, relatively
simple, and objective tool to
evaluate the interactions
between physiological,
mental, emotional and
behavioral processes.
 Goals of HRV training
 To give a balance to the autonomic
nervous system
 To improve alertness and
concentration without overarousal
 Decrease anxiety, in particular,
performance anxiety
 Improve self-regulation
 Create greater resiliency and
tolerance to stress
 How is l’HRV measured?
With a photoplethysmograph (blood
volume pulse sensor)
or ECG
 How do you train HRV ?

 With respiration
 Inspiration activates the sympathetic
nervous sytem ( accelerates heart )
 Expiration activates the
parasympathetic system
(decelerates heart )
 Psychophysiological Coherence is a
state associated with:

 Sustained positive emotion

 High degree of mental and emotional
stability
 Constructive integration of the
cognitive and emotional systems
 Increased synchronization and
harmony between the cognitive,
emotional and physiological systems
 In closing, HRV helps
athletes and non to
moderate the heightened
sympathetic activity that is
associated with stress,
anxiety, and general
malaise