Examining the Effects of an Interspersed Biofeedback Training Intervention on Physiological Indices

Abstract

The study aimed to determine whether athletes who practice biofeedback are able to self-regulate by reaching resonance frequency and gaining physiological control quicker than if practice time integrates imagery or a rest period. Intervention effectiveness (e.g., intervention length, time spent training) was also explored. Twenty-seven university athletes were assigned to one of three groups: (a) biofeedback (i.e., continuous training), (b) biofeedback/imagery (i.e., interspersed with imagery), and (c) biofeedback/rest (i.e., interspersed with a rest period). Five biofeedback sessions training respiration rate, heart rate variability, and skin conductance were conducted. A repeated-measure analysis of variance showed a significant interaction between groups over time (p ≤ .05) for respiration rate, heart rate variability, and skin conductance, indicating that resonance frequency and physiological control was regained following imagery or a rest period. Postmanipulation check data found intervention length and training time to be sufficient. Combining imagery with biofeedback may optimize management of psychophysiological processes.

Self-regulation training improves stress resilience in elite pre-pubescent female gymnasts

“…It was carried out using a Sue Wilson profile “Optimizing performance and health suite” ( Wilson, 2006 ), a standardised suite of 6 different stress tasks (Stroop Colour test, Math test, React Track Game, Dual Tracking Game, Anticipation and Brief Stressor) ( Mehling et al, 2012 ), via ProComp Infiniti™ T7500M Biofeedback System manufactured by Thought Technology (Montreal, Quebec, Canada), with a BioGraph Infiniti™ software (version 6.0). The recorded signals included peripheral temperature (T, a sensor placed on the middle finger of the non-dominant hand) ( Shaffer et al, 2016 ), skin conductance level (SCL, two separate sensors, placed on the index and pinky fingers of the non-dominant hand) ( Boucsein, 2012 ; Peek, 2017 ), muscle activity (EMG electrode positioned on the right trapezius) ( Arena et al, 1995 ), blood volume pressure (BVP, via a sensor placed on the index finger of the non-dominant hand) ( Peper et al, 2006 ) and respiration rate (RR, strain-gauged belt, placed around the midsection of the abdomen and installed in an upright position during a maximal inhalation) ( Ferguson et al, 2020 ).…”

Self-Regulation training improves stress resilience in Elite Pre-Pubescent Female Gymnasts

“…via ProComp In niti™ T7500M Biofeedback System manufactured by Thought Technology (Montreal, Quebec, Canada), with a BioGraph In niti™ software (version 6.0). The recorded signals included peripheral temperature (a sensor placed on the middle nger of the non-dominant hand)(Shaffer et al, 2016), skin conductance level (two separate sensors, placed on the index and pinky ngers of the non-dominant hand)(Boucsein, 2012;Peek, 2017), muscle activity (EMG electrode positioned on the right trapezius)(Arena et al, 1995), blood volume pressure (BVP, via a sensor placed on the index nger of the non-dominant hand)(Peper et al, 2006) and respiration rate (RR, strain-gauged belt, placed around the midsection of the abdomen and installed in an upright position during a maximal inhalation)(Ferguson et al, 2020).The Wilson test suite comprises multiple stress and recovery phases, spread across 14 activities, of which 6 stress tasks (Stroop Colour test, Math test, ReackTrack Game, Dual Tracking Game, Anticipation and Brief Stressor), preceded by two baselines (eyes closed and eyes open). Each stress task is followed by a recovery phase.…”