Short- and Long-Term Stroboscopic Training Effects on Visuomotor Performance in Elite Youth Sports. Part 2: Brain–Behavior Mechanisms

PURPOSEStroboscopic training has repeatedly been shown to improve visuomotor abilities. However, although performance improvements were attributed to visual processes, information on the neurophysiological mechanisms is missing. Part 2 of this study investigated the effects of stroboscopic training...

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Published in:Medicine and science in sports and exercise 2021-05, Vol.53 (5), p.973-985
Main Authors: Hülsdünker, Thorben, Gunasekara, Nadira, Mierau, Andreas
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:PURPOSEStroboscopic training has repeatedly been shown to improve visuomotor abilities. However, although performance improvements were attributed to visual processes, information on the neurophysiological mechanisms is missing. Part 2 of this study investigated the effects of stroboscopic training on neural visual and motor functions and its contribution to training-induced changes in visuomotor reaction time. METHODS45 young elite badminton athletes participated in this study, of which 32 (13.7 years) were included in the final data analysis. Participants were assigned to an intervention (stroboscopic vision) or control group (normal vision). Prior to and after a 10-week training and following a 6-week retention period, participants performed visual perception and reaction tasks in response to visual motion stimuli. The N2 and N2-r motion onset visual evoked potentials, its linear combination (Vlc) and the BA6 negativity potential were determined using a 64-channel EEG. RESULTSA significant Time × Group effect was observed for the Vlc score (p=0.019, ηp =0.18) indicating a lower Vlc in the intervention group. However, post-hoc tests did not reach significance. Within-subject correlation analyses revealed changes in reaction speed were related to latency changes in N2 (r=0.59, p
ISSN:0195-9131
1530-0315
DOI:10.1249/MSS.0000000000002543