An electrocortical comparison of executed and rejected shots in skilled marksmen

Citation
Ch. Hillman et al., An electrocortical comparison of executed and rejected shots in skilled marksmen, BIOL PSYCH, 52(1), 2000, pp. 71-83
Citations number
27
Categorie Soggetti
Psycology
Journal title
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
ISSN journal
03010511 → ACNP
Volume
52
Issue
1
Year of publication
2000
Pages
71 - 83
Database
ISI
SICI code
0301-0511(200002)52:1<71:AECOEA>2.0.ZU;2-1
Abstract
Electroencephalographic (EEG) activity during the preshot period was invest igated in seven skilled marksmen. Specifically, alpha and beta spectral pow er were obtained for the 4-s period prior to the execution or rejection of shots. Rejected shots were defined as those that resulted in the marksman's self-initiated decision to withdraw their rifle from the target rather tha n execute the shot. EEG activity during the preparatory period was contrast ed between the executed and rejected shots to better understand the involve d attentional processes associated with the preshot state. Results for reje cted compared with executed shots revealed a progressive increase in alpha and beta power for rejected compared with executed shots, which increased a cross the preparatory period. Furthermore, increased spectral power was fou nd in the left compared with the right hemisphere for both executed and rej ected shots, and in the different regions of the scalp. Therefore, the deci sion to reject a shot seems to be characterized by inappropriate allocation of the neural resources associated with task execution. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.