The Effect of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback with Relaxation Training on Performance and Gaze Behavior of the Semi-Skilled Shooters

Having Control over performance is one of the most important factors for success in the shooting. Research had shown that the more information a person has about the function of their body, the better control they will have over it. This study aimed to determine the effect of heart rate biofeedback along with relaxation training on the performance and gaze behavior of shooters.

16 semi-skilled shooters with an average age of 18 to 40 years were selected using the available sampling method. Participants were homogeneously assigned to the training (heart rate biofeedback with abdominal relaxation training) and the control groups. Before and after the practice interventions, all participants performed 20 shots from a 10 meters distance, while shooting accuracy scores were measured by Scat software and their gaze behavior were measured by an eye tracking device. Then, participants of the experimental group performed 30 minutes of heart rate biofeedback and abdominal relaxation intervention for four weeks, and three sessions per week.

The results of two-way ANOVA showed that there was a significant difference in the shooting accuracy score of players’ performance, but there was no significant difference in the gaze behavior of shooters between intervention and control groups in the post-test compared to the pre-test.

Overall, biofeedback with relaxation training was able to improve the performance of semi-skilled shooters. However, there was no significant difference in the gaze behavior of shooters due to the improvement of the indicators of this variable.