Brainwave manipulation?

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I have no idea where this thread belongs, so I just settled for a sub forum that already contained topics like ‘motivation’ and such.

I have very limited experience with brainwave generators (e.g. https://www.transparentcorp.com/products/np/ or http://www.bwgen.com/) so I can’t really give any indications of how these could be of relevance in track & field. However, before we start bashing the topic (myself included) let us perhaps consider this from an “empirical” standpoint first: There seems to be empirical evidence about different types of brainwaves (delta, theta, alpha & gamma) and their relation to different cognitive functions in the brain and thus indirectly in the body – roughly: sleep @ delta; deep meditative state @ theta; alert but relaxed @ alpha; “normal” @ beta; “hyperactivity” @ gamma. Moreover, there seem to be empirical evidence that brainwaves are rather receptive to sound and visual stimulus; brainwaves seem to condition themselves according to stimuli in a rather short period of time.

These concerns comes first to mind:

  1. Would there be benefits from such stimuli where time between training sessions is limited (or help taking a short nap-like thing), thus making it reasonable to go for a deeper relaxation in between?
  2. Would there be benefits from stimuli that mimics sleep patterns (delta waves) during post practice recovery (e.g. delta waves stimulation of hormonal production the way sleep does)?
  3. Would there be benefits from pre workout stimuli (dissosiative stimulation or just simple arousal)?
  4. Would there be benefits from cognitive entrainment (visualizing performances or making subconscious affirmations)?

This topic might seem far out, but let’s try to be as factual as possible. Does anyone have any experiences about such manipulation?

I have only tried something for fun, and my initial reaction to them is that there might be some usefulness regarding relaxation. It would appear it’s easier and faster to reach a rather relaxed state. Therefore, one could assume it would perhaps influence recovery and learning somewhat. However, the impact might also be theoretical or minimal at best.

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Interesting topic! I think music, for example, can be very helpful as a pre-workout/pre-comp stimulus or helpful to relax. If you give an athlete some of their favorite music to listen to during warmup, they usually do great! If I’ve seen it once, I’ve seen it a hundred times. In fact, one of my sprinters PB’d in every race last year except one. When I jokingly asked why he didn’t PB that one race, he said “because I forgot my CD player that day”. He was dead serious.

Also, in another thread someone posted about how Marita Koch (or someone else?) used to perform hand gestures before running to get her into a familiar mental state. I think mental imagery, music, hand gestures can all be used to put an athlete in a state of familiar readiness. In fact, I like music (if possible) & visualization to be a regular part of the warmup (for competition).