Neural correlates of motor performance in target sports: the model of movement-related alpha gating

What determines optimal motor performance? Scientists have addressed this question through various approaches. One such
approach involved the measurement of brain activity during performance of aiming motor tasks by using electroencephalography
(EEG). This research field has produced compelling evidence that a particular type of brain activity involved with neuronal
inhibition – oscillations within the alpha frequency (8-12 Hz) – is associated with successful motor performance (e.g. a holed putt
in golf). Our programme of research evaluated the utility of examining EEG alpha activity from multiple brain regions while
relatively inexperienced recreational golfers putted golf balls to a hole or a series of targets. Our findings revealed that motor
execution was accompanied by a regional pattern – alpha gating – whereby neuronal activation was diverted away from
movement-unrelated regions of the brain exhibiting enhanced alpha activity (temporal and occipital), and gated towards
movement-related regions exhibiting diminished alpha activity (central). Greater inhibition of movement-unrelated regions was
associated with greater movement accuracy and improved performance after skill practice, provided that an adequate level of
neuronal activation was maintained in movement-related regions. In addition, a disturbance to the alpha gating, induced by
randomly varying target location, resulted in impaired performance and greater perceived task difficulty. The main theoretical
contribution of this research programme lies in the proposal of the movement-related alpha gating model of motor performance
in target sports. These findings lay out the foundations for future applied work aimed at teaching athletes to self -regulate their
brain activity to recreate the alpha gating pattern for optimal performance at will.