Investigation of the effects of biofeedback and imagery practices on the cognitive, physiological and sportive performance of athletes

It is important to prepare the athletes psychophysiological for sports competitions with a high level of competition. As a matter of fact, athletes and coaches are in search of new methods to help them manage internal states and thoughts that optimize training. In particular, biofeedback and imagery applications integrated into the field of sports are included in these methods. In this context, the aim of this research is to examine the effects of imagery applications integrated with biofeedback on physiological, cognitive (psychological) and sportive performance parameters. Multiple baseline model, one of the single-subject research designs, was used in the study. Three football players who continue their professional sports life voluntarily participated in the research. As a data collection tool in the research, Nexus 10 Mk II Neurofeedback / Biofeedback and Physiological Imaging, Evaluation and Feedback System for the measurement of physiological data (HR - HRV - SDNN - RESP - SC- TEMP), for the evaluation of cognitive (psychological) characteristics, Competition State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2) and Sports Self-Efficacy Scale and Football Loughborough Pass Test (LSPT) were used for sportive performance evaluation. In the analysis of the data, visual-graphic analysis, which is frequently used in single-subject research designs, was used. In addition to the graphical analysis, the effect size was calculated by the researchers in line with the formula for the values obtained at the baseline and application phase in order to evaluate the effects of the intervention programs applied in order to obtain more precise results. In addition to the quantitative analysis, verbal responses from the post-experimental interview were used to provide evidence for social validity. When the findings obtained as a result of the research were examined, it was determined that the values obtained for physiological, cognitive (psychological) and sportive performance in 3 participants were for development. As a result, it can be stated that the intervention programs applied within the scope of the research are beneficial in improving the self-regulation skills of the athletes and their applications can serve as a basis for psychophysiological training.