Inside alphabeats' latest neurofeedback study for elite athletes - a conversation with Dr. Geert van Boxtel

alphabeats has been at the forefront of bringing neurofeedback technology to athletes and high performers since 2019. And our first wearable prototype was developed even further back – with Philips in 2012. From lab studies to real-world applications, we've dedicated ourselves to thorough research and ongoing improvement.

Our efforts have always been focused on enhancing alpha brain activity – that optimal mental state for peak performance. Today, we're excited to share insights from an important new study led by Dr. Geert van Boxtel, Associate Professor of Cognitive Neuropsychology for Tilburg University. It marks another milestone in our journey to transform the field of mental training and performance. We sat down with Dr. van Boxtel to dive into the details of this study, its implications for athletes and what it means for the future of neurofeedback training.‍

‍

Dr. van Boxtel, can you tell us about this study and why it's important for the field of neurofeedback?

Certainly. Our recent study, conducted with two elite soccer teams, further validates alphabeats' effectiveness in increasing alpha brain activity in athletes. What makes this study particularly significant is that we were able to conduct group training sessions with up to 13 players simultaneously, outside of a laboratory setting. This is a major step forward in making neurofeedback training accessible and practical for team sports.

‍

How does this study advance alphabeats' offering?

This study validates alphabeats’ effectiveness in a real-world sports environment. We've shown that the technology can be used effectively by multiple athletes at once, right at their training facility. This can help to streamline training by integrating it directly into athletes' routines, without a major investment of time (since alphabeats sessions are only 8-12 minutes long.) We also observed improvements to higher-order cognitive processes, like task switching, which is an essential skill in dynamic sports like soccer. 

‍‍

Can you explain the concept of alpha activity and why it's important for athletes?

Alpha brain waves are associated with a state of relaxed alertness. When athletes have higher alpha activity, they often report feeling calm yet focused - an ideal state for performance. alphabeats’ technology aims to help athletes enhance and control their alpha activity, potentially improving their ability to manage stress, maintain focus, and perform at their best when it matters most.

‍

What were some of the key findings from the study?

We observed a significant increase in alpha activity in the groups receiving alphabeats neurofeedback training compared to those continuing with their usual training. Importantly, this increase was sustained even after the training period ended. We also saw improvements in cognitive tasks, particularly those involving higher-order processes like task switching. These findings show that alphabeats training not only affects brain activity but may also translate to practical cognitive benefits for athletes.

‍

How does this research contribute to the broader field of sports performance?

This study bridges the gap between laboratory neurofeedback research and practical applications in sports. By showing  that neurofeedback training can be effectively integrated into team sports routines, right at their training facilities, we are taking a major step forward in making mental training as standard as physical training. We’re seeing a real shift in how teams approach mental preparation and recovery.

‍

What's next on the research docket, based on these findings?

We're excited to delve deeper into individual pattern analysis. Our next steps involve exploring how alpha enhancement links to subjective experiences, cognitive performance, and sleep quality. This will allow us to personalize training programs to meet individual athletes' needs. We're also working on tying alpha enhancement to objective measures of sports performance, including assessing EEG activity right before critical moments in competition, such as pre-shot routines in archery.

‍

Dr. van Boxtel and the alphabeats research team's work marks a significant step forward for neurofeedback in sports performance and a valuable validation of alphabeats’ impact. As we continue to refine, test and measure our technology, we're moving closer to our goal of providing athletes, and anyone else interested in reaching optimal mental performance, with powerful, scientifically-backed tools to enhance their journey.