Effects Of Physical And Cognitive Stressors On Putting Performance In Collegiate Golfers

Cognitive and physical stressors cause fluctuations in heart rate (HR) at varying levels, which can affect fine motor skills during performance. However, the difference between the effects of both stressors on golf performance have not been explored. PURPOSE: Quantify the influence of physical versus cognitive stressors on HR and subsequent putting performance in elite intercollegiate golf athletes. METHODS: 8 male NCAA Division I golf athletes (age: 20.9 ± 0.8 yrs, height: 1.83 ± .07 m, mass: 82.3 ± 8.5 kg) participated. Two pre-putt interventions (physical: 20s jog; cognitive: Stroop test with negative verbal feedback) were implemented, immediately followed by a 2.4-m straight putt and 1-minute rest. Trials were repeated 10 times, and intervention order was randomized. The success of each attempt was recorded. HR was continuously monitored by chest strap, and a Functional Data Analysis was created using the HR change as a %increase/decrease relative to the HR at the end of stimulus of each trial. Coefficient of variation (CV) was determined for all participants across trials of the same intervention. RESULTS: The cognitive stimulus led to worsened performance compared to the physical stimulus (Stroop make = 73.75%, Jog make = 82.5%). Variability in HR increased more post-Stroop than post-Jog (Stroop CV: 6.13, Jog CV: 2.16, Figure A). The %HR change post-stimulus increased for Stroop but decreased for Jog (Stroop: +3.28%, Jog: -7.55%; Figure B). CONCLUSION: Increased HR in post-Stroop recovery may have negatively influenced putt performance. Higher CVs reflected individualized responses to cognitive stressors, while jog responses were less variable and may explain the performance differences across interventions.