Impact of Biofeedback Training on Athletic Performance and Mental Well-Being

OpenAlex English

This study employs a systematic review approach to evaluate the effects of biofeedback (BFB) methods on athletic performance and psychological well-being. In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, TR Index, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and PubMed were searched for studies published between 2000 and 2024; of 88 identified papers, 24 met the inclusion criteria for qualitative analysis. The interventions examined included electromyography (EMG), electroencephalography (EEG), electrodermal activity (EDA), heart rate variability (HRV), thermal feedback, and isokinetic dynamometry. These methods were found to reduce muscle tension, enhance autonomic nervous system balance, improve mental focus, and facilitate stress regulation. Specifically, EMG-based feedback supported motor learning by increasing muscle strength and proprioceptive awareness, while EEG-based neurofeedback enhanced performance consistency and mental endurance under pressure. EDA and HRV protocols effectively modulated stress-induced physiological responses, and thermal feedback bolstered relaxation strategies. Although the findings underscore BFB's role as an interdisciplinary tool for optimizing athletes' physical and psychological processes, further large-scale, longitudinal studies are necessary to confirm its long-term efficacy and to develop sport-specific application protocols.