The Effect of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback on Performance Psychology of Basketball Players

Abstract

Coping with pressure and anxiety is an ineluctable demand of sports performance. Heart rate variability (HRV) Biofeedback (BFB) shall be used as a tool for self regulating physiological responses resulting in improved psycho physiological interactions. For further analysis, the present study has been designed to examine the relationship between anxiety and performance and also effectiveness of biofeedback protocol to create stress-eliciting situation in basketball players. Thirty basketball players of university level and above (both male and female) aged 18-28 years, who scored a minimum of 20 in state trait anxiety inventory, were randomly divided into three equal groups- Experimental (Biofeedback) group, Placebo group and Control (No Treatment) group. The BFB group received HRV BFB training for 10 consecutive days for 20 min that included breathing at individual's resonant frequency through a pacing stimulus; Placebo group was shown motivational video clips for 10 consecutive days for 10 min, whereas No Treatment Control group was not given any intervention. Two way repeated measure ANOVA was applied to analyze the differences within and between the groups. Anxiety, coping self-efficacy, heart rate variability, respiration rate, and performance (dribbling, passing and shooting) at session 1, 10 and 1 month follow up were statistically significant in each group along with interaction of group and time (p < 0.001). Also, all the measures showed statistically significant inter group difference (p < 0.05). The findings are harmonious with existing data on HRV BFB as a strategy for dealing with anxiety. The Placebo group showed improvement in self efficacy and performance post training. The Control group showed no change in any variable except performance. The results of the study support the idea that HRV BFB lowers the anxiety and thus there seems to be a potential association between HRV BFB and performance optimization.

Effects of a Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Intervention on Athletes Psychological Responses Following Injury: A Pilot Study

“…Heart Rate Variability (HRV) refers to the beat-to-beat changes in the duration of RR intervals (time between beats) in the Electrocardiogram (ECG) [25]. HRV has been suggested to be a reliable assessment of autonomic function, an index of cardiovascular adaptability, and indicative of autonomic or sympathovagal balance [26][27][28]. According to Appelhans and Luecken, high HRV reflects improved adaptability of physiological arousal, in addition to a greater capacity for regulated emotional responding [29].…”

“…Findings demonstrated that those in the HRV BFB group achieved significantly greater increases in low-frequency HRV and health-related quality of life indices (i.e., vitality, bodily pain, and social functioning) across sessions compared to their control counterparts. In the sport realm, HRV BFB has been implemented for performance enhancement and emotional self-regulation [28]. Researchers have demonstrated its efficacy to improve psychomotor performance, cognitive and psychological states, and physiological functioning [28].…”

“…In the sport realm, HRV BFB has been implemented for performance enhancement and emotional self-regulation [28]. Researchers have demonstrated its efficacy to improve psychomotor performance, cognitive and psychological states, and physiological functioning [28]. For example, Paul and sign was utilized.…”

“…The resonant frequency was identified as the respiratory frequency yielding the highest low-frequency HRV on the moving Fourier power spectrum displayed by the AD Instruments LabChart® 7.0 software. In subsequent sessions, participants were trained how to breathe using pursed lips and abdominal breathing techniques with prolonged exhalation in orGarg [28] examined the effectiveness of HRV BFB on the performance psychology and emotional self-regulation of anxious basketball players who competed at a university, state, and/or national level. Findings indicated that the HRV BFB group exhibited significantly greater improvements in anxiety, basketball performance skills (shooting, passing, dribbling), HRV (i.e., increases in total HRV and LF HRV), and respiration rate compared to those in the placebo and control groups.…”

“…Note: Total pain catastrophizing scores range from a low of 0 to a high of 52; rumination subscale a low of 0 to a high of 16; magnification subscale a low of 0 to a high of 12; helplessness subscale a low of 0 to a high of 24. mechanisms through which HRV BFB could yield positive psychological outcomes. Paul and Garg [28] suggested that HRV BFB training is a self-regulatory intervention, which may contribute to reductions in psychophysiological stressors (e.g. anxiety/heart rate, arousal/vasodilation) and support optimal performance.…”