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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Iain SpearsORCiD, Dr Daniel EavesORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
A growing body of research has addressed the application of movement-based biofeedback techniques for improving sports performers’ gross motor skills. Unlike in previous research, we aimed in this study to quantify the effects of this “external” biofeedback on selected performance and technique variables for the boxing jab among both novices and experts. The technical setup included two inertial measurement units linked wirelessly to a video game system with audio output. The units were configured to provide auditory external biofeedback, based on the peak acceleration of the bag (i.e., biofeedback with an external attentional focus). Sixteen participants (8 novices and 8 experts) performed boxing jabs against the bag in blocked phases of biofeedback. When compared to baseline, the acute effects of externally focused biofeedback on peak bag acceleration were possibly positive in both retention phases for novices (d = 0.29; d = 0.41) and likely positive for experts (d = 0.41; d = 0.30), respectively. The experts’ performance improvements were accompanied by substantive increases in trunk rotation, though this was not true for the novices. Thus, technique improvements can be promoted indirectly via externally focused biofeedback, but only when these actions are within the performers’ motor repertoire. Overall, biofeedback via inertial sensors appears to be a potent technique for modifying human movement patterns in both experts and novices. This low-cost technology could be used to support training across sports, rehabilitation and human-computer interactions.
Author(s): Chen M, Spanton K, van Schaik P, Spears I, Eaves DL
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Perceptual and Motor Skills
Year: 2021
Volume: 128
Pages: 1607-1622
Print publication date: 01/08/2021
Online publication date: 03/05/2021
Acceptance date: 03/05/2021
Date deposited: 04/11/2021
ISSN (print): 0031-5125
ISSN (electronic): 1558-688X
Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd
URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/00315125211013251
DOI: 10.1177/00315125211013251
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