What is Neurofeedback?

Everyone’s brain produces electrical activity. An electroencephalogram (EEG) reflects the electrical activity onto a computer screen virtually instantaneously (50-100 milliseconds). This is displayed as a wavy line on the screen. The different frequencies are isolated. Different frequencies, whether they are slow or fast waves, can be associated with different mental states.

The reading of the brain’s electrical activity is found by placing electrodes on the scalp. As the athlete changes their own mental state it changes the amplitude (power) of various brain wave frequencies. The feedback of the change can be viewed on the computer screen and at this point the athlete can attempt to alter their brainwave pattern. Athletes will train to prolong certain mental states and decrease others.