The effects of Neurofeedback on Anxiety decrease and Athletic performance Enhancement

Considering the effects that anxiety can have on performance, the relationship between anxiety and performance has interested researchers for many years. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Neurofeedback alpha/theta intervention on the anxiety reduction and performance enhancement in young soccer players. To do so, 30 soccer players attending the National Soccer League of Iran were assigned to two experimental (intervention based on alpha/theta Neurofeedback training) and control groups. Athletes in the experimental group received 12 30-minute sessions of Neurofeedback training and the control group did not receive any intervention. Before and after the interventions, Sport Anxiety Scale Questionnaire and Kick Performance Test were used to collect data. MANOVA was used to compare the two groups. The results showed that the improvement of athletic performance scores and reduction of anxiety scale were significant in the experimental group. According to these findings, we concluded that the alpha/theta Neurofeedback training is appropriate to increase athletic performance and decrease the level of sport anxiety.