Psychophysiology and the sport science

Abstract

Psychophysiology is an interdisciplinary scientific approach which studies the connection between mind and body through measurement of the electrical activity of neural and muscular tissues and the conductivity of dermal tissue. The aim of this paper is to review some of the findings of psychophysiology research in sports. Two types of methods have been employed. The first one is the measurement of the changes in the brain electrical activity using the electroencephalography (EEG). Event-related potentials (ERP) are modalities of EEG which have largely been used in the research of performance in athletes. The other type of measurements is focused on the changes in cardiovascular system, respiratory system and skeletal muscles. The muscular electrical activity during sports performance has been investigated by electromyography (EMG). Both types of investigations can be combined. Psychophysiological level of measurement holds promise for understanding how cognitive-affective factors influence the quality of motor behavior.