Abstract des Autors

Although research has shown hemispheric asymmetries in the electroencephalograph (EEG) and decelerations in heart rate (HR) of pre-elite and elite athletes in the few seconds prior to performance, this research did not determine if these findings were a result of learning. Thus, the goal of this training study was to examine novice archers to determine whether a) hemispheric asymmetry and HR deceleration occur as a result of learning, and b) if these HR and EEG patterns are related to archery performance. Continuous EEG and HR activity of righthanded archers (N = 11) enrolled in a 15-wk beginning archery class were monitored while they shot 16 arrows at a target 10 m away. The results showed that at Week 2 (pretest) there were no significant hemispheric differences nor deceleration of HR. However, at Week 14 (posttest) when archers had improved their performance 62%: a) significant HR deceleration and EEG asymmetries were found; and b) at 0.5 s prior to arrow release, significant differences were observed between best and worst shots at 12 Hz in the left hemisphere and 4 Hz in the right hemisphere. The results at 12 Hz were the same as those found for elite archers where a greater increase in left hemisphere alpha activity was associated with worst shots. These results strongly suggest that HR deceleration and EEG asymmetries are learned patterns that can serve as unobstructive markers of focused attention during the brief period immediately preceding performance. Verf.-Referat