Psychophysiology is a scientific field that studies how our mind and body are connected. It looks at how our thoughts, feelings, and actions are related to our physical functions. Psychophysiology helps us understand how our mental processes and our body’s functions work together (Cacioppo et al., 2016). It teaches us that our thoughts and emotions are not separate from our body, but are actually connected to it. This means that our psychological experiences can affect our body’s functions, and vice versa.
In sports and exercise psychology, psychophysiology helps us understand how our perception, thinking, and emotions relate to our performance and health (Edmonds & Tenenbaum, 2012). By measuring our body’s responses, we can identify factors that affect our performance and help athletes improve. In exercise psychology, psychophysiological assessments show us how physical activity can benefit our mental health, cognitive functions, mood, and stress levels.
There are different ways to measure psychophysiological variables related to our nervous system, heart, hormones, and more (Robazza & Bertollo, 2019). These include techniques like fMRI to study brain activity, EKG to measure heart rate, EEG to record brain waves, and other methods. As technology advances, new opportunities arise for using mobile devices in sports and exercise applications.
Biofeedback and EEG biofeedback, also known as neurofeedback, are techniques that help individuals become more aware of their mind-body connection. They can learn to control their physiological responses and improve their performance, manage stress, and enhance their overall well-being. These techniques help with self-regulation, which means being able to control and manage our own thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Cacioppo, J., Tassinary, L., & Berntson, G. (Eds.), (2016). Handbook of psychophysiology (4th ed.). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Edmonds, W. A., & Tenenbaum, G. (Eds.), (2012). Case stud- ies in applied psychophysiology: Neurofeedback and bio- feedback treatments for advances in human performance. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell.
Robazza, C., & Bertollo, M. (2019). In D. Hackfort, R. J. Schinke, & B. Strauss (Eds.), Dictionary of sport psychology: Sport, exercise, and performing arts. Academic Press.