Neuro-cognitive activity during a self-paced visuospatial task: comparative EEG profiles in marksmen and novice shooters

Citation
Aj. Haufler et al., Neuro-cognitive activity during a self-paced visuospatial task: comparative EEG profiles in marksmen and novice shooters, BIOL PSYCH, 53(2-3), 2000, pp. 131-160
Citations number
41
Categorie Soggetti
Psycology
Journal title
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
ISSN journal
03010511 → ACNP
Volume
53
Issue
2-3
Year of publication
2000
Pages
131 - 160
Database
ISI
SICI code
0301-0511(200007)53:2-3<131:NADASV>2.0.ZU;2-W
Abstract
Log-transformed EEG power spectral estimates (6-7, 9,10-11,18-22, and 36-44 Hz), obtained from skilled marksmen and novice shooters at sites F3, F4, C 3, C4,T3, T4, P3, P4, O1, and O2 during the aiming period (6 s) of a target shooting task for each of 40 trials up to the moment of trigger pull, were contrasted to determine regional differences in cortical activation. The E EG power obtained from both groups during the preparatory aiming period was also compared to that observed for a similar time period during the proces sing of standard verbal and spatial tasks. The marksmen exhibited less acti vation than the novice shooters at all sites during the aiming period with a pronounced difference in the left central-temporal-parietal area. Fewer g roup differences in cortical activation were observed during the comparativ e verbal and spatial tasks with which the groups held equal experience. Add itionally, the novice shooters exhibited a cortical activation pattern duri ng target shooting that was similar to that observed during the processing of the comparative verbal and spatial tasks. In contrast, marksmen generall y exhibited less cortical activation during the aiming period when contrast ed to that during the novel comparative tasks. These results are consistent with the notion of relative economy in the cortical processes of marksmen, relative to controls, during the specific challenge with which they are hi ghly practiced. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.