Abstract

Biofeedback (BFb) is a useful tool to accelerate the skill development process. However, limited research has applied BFb to whole lower limb, complex skills. Thirty-two healthy participants were randomized to a BFb (n=16) and a Control group (n=16). Participants visited a motion capture laboratory on three occasions during one week, and returned for retention testing at 4-6 weeks. Following introduction to a novel lunge-touch task, visual BFb on lower limb joint kinematic extension angular velocities and timing were provided following each lunge. The BFb was effective in increasing Hipω (F=3.746, p=0.03; and Kneeω (F=10.241, p=0.01), whilst Peak Ankleω remained unchanged (F=1.537, p=0.23, η2=0.05). However, Peak Ankleθ (F=10.915, p<0.001, η2=0.27) and AnkleROM (F=9.543, p<0.001, η2=0.24) significantly increased. There were no significant changes in any external kinetics. Further, no significant correlations were found between Hipω, Kneeω or Ankleω and horizontal impulse (ImpulseY: r=0.20, p=0.26; r=-0.11, p=0.24; and r=0.22, p=0.28 respectively). These findings demonstrate that BFb can be used to alter multiple kinematic variables, in a complex skill, but does not necessarily change theoretically associated kinetic variables not targeted by the BFb. It is important to consider the relationship between kinematics and kinetics when indirect changes are desirable.