Changes in the brain rhythm indices of cyclic sports athletes During the neurofeedback course

Objective. Reveal peculiarities of changes in the brain rhythm indices in cyclic sports athletes during the biofeedback course. Material and methods. The study involved male athletes, 18–22 years (n=410), the main group (MG, n=387) included the athletes, who underwent the beta rhythm neurofeedback course (10 sessions), the control group (CG, n=23) did not undergo the course. Brain rhythm changes were examined with the EEG indices: alpha ( %), beta ( %), theta ( %) rhythms. Each session included graphic (10 minutes) and game (16 minutes) sections with audiovisual biofeedback. The electrodes were placed bipolarly (Fz-Cz points, the 10–20 system). Muscle tension was recorded with myographic markers on the forehead above the supraorbital arches. Main task — to voluntary raise the beta rhythm level above the set threshold against the background of muscle relaxation. Results. In the background EEG activity, the MG athletes had the following brain rhythm distribution: α — 27 (25; 30) %, β — 30 (28; 35) %, θ — 41 (34; 45) % with reduced values of the θ/β index (1.58 (1.1; 1.95 c.u.). In the CG, theta rhythm prevails: α — 27 (16; 38) %, β — 25 (22; 50) %, θ — 40 (34; 48) % with reduced values of the θ/β index (1.97 (1.31; 3.33) c.u.). After the course, the rhythm structure in the main group revealed a prevalent fast activity (β — 45.5 (31; 57) %) with a reduction of the very low activity (θ — to 36 (24; 36) %) and an alpha rhythm reduction to 21 (17; 26.04) %. The θ/β index (c.u.) has also reduced (p>0.05). In the CG, the very low activity has increased by 15 % (θ — 46 (40; 55) %). Conclusion. The changes have shown a trend towards mobilization and optimization with increased fast (β) activity against the background of reduced very slow (θ) activity.