Effects on Music Intervening in Pistol Shooting

[[abstract]]Past research mainly used self report inventory to discuss the relationship between music and sport performance. This study used electroencephalogram (EEG) to compare whether listening to music can cause any difference in pistol shooting performance. Purpose: To discuss pistol shooters’ performance and Fmθ after listening to music. Method: The participants in this study were 10 experienced pistol shooters, and each had 40 shots in control and music condition. Each condition was separated into 2 sectors and participants listened to music 10 minutes before shooting. EEG data were segmented into three one-second epochs prior to execution. Several 2 x 2 x 3 (condition x sector x epoch) ANOVAs with repeated measures were employed. Results: There were no differences between condition and sector in performance and Fmθ. Conclusion: Fmθ and precision sports may not have linear relationship. Appropriate Fmθ might be the best cortical activity. Although music intervention had no obvious improving performance in precision sports, the participants gave positive responses after listening to music. We conjectured that music could ease athletes’ high anxiety caused by competition, thus improving their performances.