Effect of Bio-Neural Feedback Exercises on the Performance of Female Rugby Players

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of neurofeedback training on the performance of female rugby players.

 The research design was a quasi-experimental with control and experimental groups. Twenty-four girl rugby players between 16-25 years old from Alborz province were randomly placed in two equal 12-subjects groups. Neurofeedback training carried out for 15 sessions, three times per week. Neurofeedback training group protocols were alpha/theta training in Pz area and SMR / theta protocol in the C3 area for 20 minutes. Data were collected from the pre-test and post-test to measure rugby performance including an accuracy test for passing and shooting. The nonparametric mann–whitney u test was used for data analysis.

The results showed that the accuracy of left and right passing were increased after neurofeedback training. But, no significant improvement in the performance of shooting accuracy was observed.

It can be concluded that neurofeedback training can be an effective method to boost the optimal performance of athletes in sports requiring accuracy like passing in rugby.