Assessment of Brain Function and Putting Performance of Collegiate Golfers
Abstract
Electroencephalography (EEG) is a noninvasive method for assessing brain activity. Significant correlation has been indicated between performance outcome and brain wave measures. During a putting sequence, a golfer requires significant focus to successfully perform the skill, therefore certain brain wave frequencies are more apparent. Male and female golfers (n = 11) from a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II Program were asked to complete 10 putts at 5 varied hole distances (total- 50 putts) on an outdoor putting surface. EEG was recorded in 4-second epochs and assessed to the extent of power spectral density (PSD). Each epoch was classified according to the golfer’s performance on the putts preceding and following that epoch, resulting in each epoch falling into one of four categories: pre-success/post-success (n=460), pre-success/post-failure (n=553), prefailure/post-success (n=453), pre-failure/post-failure (n=793). Results indicated that alpha PSD was unrelated to putting performance. However, beta and theta PSD were significantly related to putting performance, with multiple successive putting failures (pre-failure/post-failure) associated with higher beta PSD and lower theta PSD compared to multiple successive putting successes (pre-success/postsuccess). The purpose of this assessment was to correlate a golfer’s brain wave activity to the successfulness of putting performance.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Pradeep Vanguri
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-5-2023 12:00 PM
End Date
4-6-2023 4:00 PM
Assessment of Brain Function and Putting Performance of Collegiate Golfers
Alvin Sherman Library
Electroencephalography (EEG) is a noninvasive method for assessing brain activity. Significant correlation has been indicated between performance outcome and brain wave measures. During a putting sequence, a golfer requires significant focus to successfully perform the skill, therefore certain brain wave frequencies are more apparent. Male and female golfers (n = 11) from a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II Program were asked to complete 10 putts at 5 varied hole distances (total- 50 putts) on an outdoor putting surface. EEG was recorded in 4-second epochs and assessed to the extent of power spectral density (PSD). Each epoch was classified according to the golfer’s performance on the putts preceding and following that epoch, resulting in each epoch falling into one of four categories: pre-success/post-success (n=460), pre-success/post-failure (n=553), prefailure/post-success (n=453), pre-failure/post-failure (n=793). Results indicated that alpha PSD was unrelated to putting performance. However, beta and theta PSD were significantly related to putting performance, with multiple successive putting failures (pre-failure/post-failure) associated with higher beta PSD and lower theta PSD compared to multiple successive putting successes (pre-success/postsuccess). The purpose of this assessment was to correlate a golfer’s brain wave activity to the successfulness of putting performance.
