We are usually calm and relaxed when we school and train our horses in the familiar environment of home. However, our performance often falls short when we head out to compete at showgrounds. It’s disappointing to ride a bad test or have poles down when you have prepared thoroughly for your show. More often than not, it comes down to our own nerves and stress getting the better of us, which directly translates to tension in our horses.
The ability to calm the mind and focus under stressful circumstances is a skill that can only come from professional coaching. Natalie Fourie talks to HQ about the science of neurofeedback.
What is neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback is revolutionary training for your brain. Neurofeedback, as a form of brain training, has gained popularity in the USA since 1980. Although an extensive amount of research has been done in this field, it has only become known and available in South Africa over the last few years.
In neurofeedback you learn to train your brain to correct brainwave activity, resulting in improved sports performance and enhanced day-to-day cognitive function. Neurofeedback trains your brain to optimise its brainwave patterns, which results in self-healing and peak performance. Results include increased attention and focus, emotional stability, inner calm, a quiet mind, and resiliency to cope with the competition nerves. Your brain gets stronger the more you train it.
How does it work?
Neurofeedback measures brainwaves, which produce a signal that can be used as feedback on brain activity to teach self-regulation. It is a non-invasive, natural conditioning and learning technique that teaches the brain to achieve optimally, ultimately resulting in peak performance.
During neurofeedback clients subconsciously learn how to control their brainwaves through conditioning and reinforcement. All of this is monitored through the use of sensors, which are placed on the scalp at strategic points to measure brainwave activity.
The brainwave signals are measured through an EEG and displayed on the clinician’s computer, while that client is seated in front of a second computer screen that displays a movie clip or video for the client to watch. The procedure is in no way painful or harmful. As the client interacts with the programme, he or she becomes aware of different brain states and learns how to shift into peak performance states more easily.
Neurofeedback is based on operant conditioning and the positive reward principle. The brain remembers the positive feeling of the new, beneficial brainwave form and is able to reproduce it in everyday situations.
Research shows that when we train our brains with neurofeedback, it can correct ineffective brainwave activity. It ‘exercises’ the areas of the brain that control attention, focus and emotional behaviour, thereby strengthening these areas, which results in reduction or elimination of competition anxiety, fear or general riding under performance symptoms. Neurofeedback is effective because it deals with the root of the problem and not simply the symptoms, which is what happens when you take medication. As a result of fixing the root cause of the problem, the results are often permanent and you do not have to deal with any negative side effects!
What is operant conditioning?
Operant conditioning is learning a behaviour that is controlled by consequences. The behaviour is strengthened through a consequence, such as punishment or reward. The brain associates a certain consequence with a particular experience and either avoids or encourages the behaviour in future situations.
What results can you expect?
Neurofeedback promotes peak performance in athletes. Clients report feeling calmer, stess-free and are able to perform better in competitive situations. They start having the ability to think faster, make better split-second decisions, and feel more in control. On top of that, they also have improved memory accessibility. These are all valuable qualities to have as a competitive or recreational rider. The nature of riding means we need to be accurate and quick with our aids and as calm as possible, especially in situations where our horses feel nervous or stressed. When it comes to competing, riders need to have their nerves under control so that they can focus on their performance and also influence the horse’s behaviour. Even if you do not ride competitively and, for example, are dealing with the schooling of a young horse, you can also benefit from neurofeedback. Training youngsters is as stressful as top-level competition, as the schooling process can often become frustrating.
Neurofeedback also aids people with anxiety. They have reported feeling calmer and happier, with an increased sense of self-control. Less erratic thinking and reduced competition nervousness are all positive outcomes after only a few sessions.
The science has also been known to relieve depression. Clients said they felt happier, more motivated and energised, with increased self-esteem and greater capacity to perform.
Sleeping problems are also eased through the training. New sleeping patterns were set once the clients’ brains were calmed down. Incessant overthinking also stopped, which allowed them to fall asleep quicker, sleep deeper and for longer.
Another benefit is improved memory. Short-term memory function was improved, as well as task completion and organisational skills, with better focus and increased attention and concentration levels.
The full article appears in the January issue (118) of HQ magazine > Shop now