The effect of mental training with biofeedback on performance in athletes

Tuna N. The Effect of Mental Training with Biofeedback on Performance in Athletes. Hacettepe University Institute of Health Sciences, M.Sc. Thesis in Sport Sciences and Technology Program, Ankara, 2018. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between neural feedback training and the archers' performance. After applying all intervention two groups compared in terms of archery performance. Participants (N=30) were in İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Archery Team (18.33 ± 2.41 years) participated in the study. The two groups were divided into two groups as experiment and control considering the view of the coach. All participants were applied to performance test (2x36=72 arrows) attention test and anxiety inventory and EEG baseline measurement. In addition, EEG-BGB data were obtained. A 20-session DMR augmentation session was performed in the experimental group. After a baseline measurement participants are assessed on and at heir performance test (36x2=72 arrows) whether experimentel group have been improved on their archery performance or not. ANOVA (2x2), t-test, normality test and Kruskal-Wallis test was performed in data analysis. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of performance results, physical anxiety and self-confidence scores of the CSAI-2, teta, beta values of the EEG-BGB record, and subscale scores of the IVA-2 test (p> 0,05). It was observed that the shot performance scores of the experimental group were higher than the shooting scores of the control group. In addition, cognitive anxiety of pre-test and post-test groups showed that the cognitive anxiety level were lower in the experimental than control group and there was a significant difference between the pretest post-test interaction of the experimental group in the intra-group analyzes and the r[F(1,28)=9,35;p=0,00;n=0,250], [F(1,28)=4,44;p=0,044;n = 0,137] thus, the athlete could focus better and ignore the external factor. In addition, it shows that DMR values in the post test of individuals in the experimental group are higher [F (1,28) = 6,91, p = 0,01; = 0,198]. Increase in DMR values have shown that archers are able to focus attention, and learn to control their own physiology. In the visual focus subscale of the IVA-2 attention test, there was difference between the measurements and groups intercaction is [F(1,28)=8,79; p= 0,006;n = 0,239] A significant difference of between groups indicated that archers can facilitate focusing skill of the during shooting.