Effects of learning on electroencephalographic and electrocardiographic patterns in novice archers

Explored whether hemispheric asymmetry and heart rate (HR) deceleration occur as a result of learning. Continuous EEG and HR activity of 11 right-handed adult archers enrolled in a 15-wk beginning archery class were monitored while they shot 16 arrows at a target 10 m away. Results show that at Week 2 (pretest), there were no significant hemispheric differences nor deceleration of HR. At Week 14 (posttest), when archers had improved their performance 62%, significant HR deceleration and EEG asymmetries were found; at 0.5 sec prior to arrow release, significant differences were observed between best and worst shots at 12 Hz in the left hemisphere and 4 Hz in the right hemisphere. Results at 12 Hz were the same as those found for elite archers where a greater increase in left hemisphere alpha activity was associated with worst shots. (French, German, Spanish & Italian abstracts) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)