The Effect of 6-week EEG-biofeedback training in normobaric hypoxia and normoxia conditions on reaction time in elite judo athletes

Authors

Magdalena Prończuk, Gdańsk University of Physical Education and SportFollow
Joanna Motowidło, Institute of Sport Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, PolandFollow
Ewelina Lulińska, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, Poland/2. Institute of Sport Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, PolandFollow
Dariusz T. Skalski, University of Applied Sciences in WałczFollow
Jarosław Markowski, Department of Laryngology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of SilesiaFollow
Jan Pilch, Institute of Sport Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, PolandFollow
Maciej Kostrzewa, Institute of Sport ScienceFollow
Artur Terbalyan, Physical Education Academy in KatowiceFollow
Karol Skotniczny, Institute of Sport Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, PolandFollow
Adam Maszczyk, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in KatowiceFollow

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Biofeedback Training in normoxic and normobaric hypoxic conditions on reaction times in judo athletes. Material and methods: The participants in the experimental group underwent thetha/beta1 training under simulated hypoxic conditions in a laboratory equipped with a normobaric hypoxia generation system (LOS-HYP1/3NU, Lowoxygen Systems, Germany), at a simulated altitude of 2500m above sea level (FiO₂ = 15.5%). Each cycle of the study consisted of 15 training sessions. The training sessions lasted for 20 minutes, with 4 sets of 4 minutes each and a 1-minute break in between. In the initial phase, participants underwent EEG biofeedback training every other day. The control group followed the same frequency and duration of EEG biofeedback training sessions as the experimental group and demonstrated an identical pattern, but under normoxia conditions. Results: The results indicated significant differences in Theta/Beta ratio values after the 5th, 11th, and 15th training sessions between the hypoxia and normoxia groups. Moreover, theta/beta1 protocol in normobaric hypoxic conditions statistically significantly improved their complex reaction times after each training cycle compared to the control group in normoxia conditions. Conclusions: The findings indicate that neurofeedback training in normobaric hypoxia conditions may considerably enhance reaction skills, particularly complex reactions, in a sports context.

Recommended Citation

Pronczuk M, Motowidlo J, Lulinska E, Skalski DT, Markowski J, Pilch J, Kostrzewa M, Terbalyan A, Skotniczny K, Maszczyk A. The effect of 6-week EEG-biofeedback training in normobaric hypoxia and normoxia conditions on reaction time in elite judo athletes. Balt J Health Phys Act. 2024;16(3):Article3. https://doi.org/10.29359/BJHPA.16.3.03

Author ORCID Identifier

Magdalena PROŃCZUK; ORCID 0009-0005-1478-3151

Joanna MOTOWIDŁO; ORCID 0009-0009-3261-3702

Ewelina LULIŃSKA; ORCID 0000-0002-1021-8885

Dariusz T. SKALSKI; ORCID 0000-0001-5128-7724

Jarosław MARKOWSKI; ORCID 0000-0003-3416-7354

Jan PILCH; ORCID 0000-0002-2682-4708

Maciej KOSTRZEWA; ORCID 0000-0003-2209-0839

Artur TERBALYAN; ORCID 0000-0002-3628-8849

Karol SKOTNICZNY; ORCID 0009-0003-8287-4499

Adam MASZCZYK; ORCID 0000-0001-9139-9747

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.