Experts’ successful psychomotor performance was characterized by effective switch of motor and attentional control

• Published in: Psychology of sport and exercise Vol. 43; pp. 374 - 379
• Main Authors: Wang, Kuo-Pin, Cheng, Ming-Yang, Chen, Tai-Ting, Chang, Yu-Kai, Huang, Chung-Ju, Feng, Jie, Hung, Tsung-Min, Ren, Jie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2019
• Subjects: Attention; Cortical activation; EEG; Sport performance; The dual-process theory; Cortical activation; The dual-process theory; Sport performance; EEG; Attention
• ISSN: 1469-0292
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2019.04.006

This study proposed that Mu (8–13 Hz) and SMR (12–15 Hz) readings in the sensorimotor cortical area can be used to investigate the cognitive mechanisms underlying optimal motor performance. This study used a within-subject design. Forty expert golfers were recruited to perform 60 putts while their EEGs were recorded. The putting distance was chosen to ensure that approximately 50% of all putts would be missed so that there was a need for constant adjustments to be made during performance. Successful performance was defined as the ball going in the hole. (a) Lower Mu power in Cz, and alpha power in Pz and Oz were observed for successful performances compared with unsuccessful performances at T1 (−2000 ∼ −1000 ms); (b) Higher SMR power in Cz was observed for successful performances relative to unsuccessful performances at T2 (−1000 ∼ 0 ms). These findings not only support the multi-action plan model (MAP) and the psychomotor efficiency hypothesis, but also reveal the temporal dynamics of the cognitive mechanisms in an optimal-controlled state. •Successful performance was preceded by lower Mu followed by higher SMR power.•A switch from motor to attentional control underpins successful performance.•The EEG pattern fits that described as the Type 2 state in the MAP model.