Psychological States And The Environment During A Marathon

PURPOSE: Triangulated methods by means of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) tracking, Mobile Electroencephalography (EEG) and on-course responses were used to examine if runners' cognitive activity changed as a result of external stimuli (attractiveness) attributable to the marathon course environment. METHODS: 11 runners (6 male and 5 female, avg age 35) ran a marathon wearing an EMOTIV mobile EEG headset. The device records brainwaves in hertz that are transformed into Theta, Alpha, Beta and Gamma oscillatory bandwidths. This corresponds to feelings of motivation, focus, relaxation, and anxiety. In an effort to validate data derived from the EEG, survey responses (using the 1 to 5 Thoughts During Running Scale) were collected following the completion of four distinct sections along the two-loop marathon course (Industrial, Bridges, University, and Urban). A multivariate analysis of covariance was used to assess the effect of the environmental surroundings on running psychology (oscillatory bandwidths) while controlling for physical discomfort. RESULTS: Table 1. Survey data and EEG response during sections of the marathon. EEG values are presented in microvolts. - Runners’ Subjective Measures EEG Indicators Section Environment Effect* Social Interaction Mental State Motivation Focus Relaxation* Anxiety* Industrial 3.39 3.00 1.50 -0.034 .990 28,487.270 2,545.623 Bridges 4.42 3.25 1.46 -0.030 .864 7,168.295 335.941 University 3.83 3.00 1.83 -.079 .788 7,489.644 415.266 Urban 2.63 2.75 2.29 -.029 .868 4,363.200 199.070 Total 3.27 3.00 1.77 .239 .908 12,391.49 931.122 * After controlling for physical discomfort there were significant differences in the Environmental Effect, Relaxation, and Anxiety states across the race sections. (p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: After the start of the race (when brainwave activity is the greatest), runners found environmentally attractive aspects of the course (Bridges and University sections) decrease physical discomfort, rendering an improved mental state over that section of the race.