Deeny, S. P., Hillman, C H., Janelle, C. M., & Hatfield, B. D. (2001). EEG coherence and neural efficiency in expert and non-expert marksmen. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 33(5), Supplement abstract 1008.

Electroencephalographic (EEG) coherence was measured in various parts of the brain in expert (N = 10) and non-expert (N = 9) marksmen in the 4-second period preceding shot execution.

There was less activity and coherence in the experts than in the non-experts, which reflected a higher ability to maintain focus. Experts engaged in less cognitive analysis during shot preparation as well as exhibiting greater neural efficiency than non-experts.

Implication. Expert marksmen have honed their mental skills of shot preparation to the point of enacting focused content-efficient brain activity. They have a simple and explicit form of focus.

Return to Table of Contents for this issue.