Optimizing session frequency in EEG biofeedback: A comparative study of protocol dynamics and neuromuscular adaptation in elite judo athletes

Background: The optimal frequency of EEG biofeedback sessions for elite athletes remains unclear, despite growing adoption of neurofeedback in high-performance sport. Methods: This randomized, controlled study compared three EEG biofeedback protocols (daily, every-other-day, every-third-day) in 24 national-level male judo athletes stratified into three phenotypic groups. Each protocol comprised 15 standardized sessions. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included functional indices (strength, power) and neurophysiological measures (Frontal Alpha Index, EMG amplitude/RMS, corrected strength sum). Biosensor performance was validated via signal quality metrics. Results: Daily EEG biofeedback produced superior improvements in strength, FAI, and fatigue resistance. Although LRG showed the largest pre-post RMS increase (+17.44 *V vs. +16.54 *V in HRG), HRG maintained the highest post-intervention RMS values and best fatigue resistance (MF_drop = *2.15 Hz). Significant group × time interactions were observed for FAI (p = 0.027) and RMS (p = 0.019). Every-other-day protocols yielded moderate gains, while every-third-day protocols produced minimal or maladaptive EMG-load dynamics. A robust dose-response relationship was evident. Conclusions: Session frequency is critical for optimizing neurofeedback interventions in elite athletes. Daily EEG biofeedback confers superior adaptation compared to less frequent dosing.
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Bibliographic Details
Subjects:
Notations:training science
Published in:Sensors
Language:English
Published: 2026
Volume:26
Issue:7
Pages:2077
Document types:article
Level:advanced