Journal of Sports and Motor Development and Learning

Scientific Journal

Document Type : Research Paper I Open Access I Released under CC BY-NC 4.0 license

Authors

¹ Department of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

² Department of Motor Behavior , Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

³ Department of Motor Behavior , Faculty of Sport Sciences , Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

⁴ Department of Biomedical Engineering, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22059/jsmdl.2024.371049.1762

Abstract

Introduction: Previous studies have reported inconsistencies regarding changes in brain waves during the learning process. Since the underlying cognitive-motor and neural-motor mechanisms of skill performance require further investigation, the present study aimed to compare Mu rhythm power in expert and novice golfers.
Methods: This study included 15 novice university students with no prior golf experience in the novice group and 15 experienced golfers in the expert group. Participants' brain waves were recorded during 20 practice trials of the golf putting skill. Data were processed using Independent Component Analysis (ICA). A one-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) with a 2×3 design (group × area) was employed for data analysis.
Results: The MANOVA results revealed a significant difference in Mu rhythm power (8–13 Hz) across three central brain areas (C3, Cz, C4) between novice and expert golfers (P≤0.05). Specifically, the expert group exhibited higher mean Mu rhythm power than the novice group.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that brain function in expert and novice golfers differs in the sensory and motor cortices. Functional changes in the brain during the learning of the golf putting skill may underlie the superior motor control and performance observed in experts. These results emphasize the importance of understanding learning processes to enhance daily motor control and specialized skill performance. The study contributes to the understanding of neurocognitive and neural-motor mechanisms of skill performance, offering insights for professionals in motor skill training and rehabilitation.

Keywords

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Journal of Sports and Motor Development and Learning

Volume 17, Issue 1
April 2025
Pages 19-37

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Receive Date: 13 January 2024
Revise Date: 13 March 2024
Accept Date: 07 April 2024

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