In Part I of this three-part series, the rationale for using biofeedback (BFB) with athletes was explored in terms of the competitive advantages it can bring to a sports training program. Most of these interventions have been designed around improving performance through neuromuscular retraining, optimizing arousal, and/or self-regulation of autonomic functioning. Some of these approaches can assist, for example, shaving seconds, perhaps even milliseconds, off finish times. Others are structured around helping the athlete to maintain focus and control in a competitive environment otherwise filled with performance-inhibiting distractions. Research has shown that the improvements brought forth by these strategies can be substantial, yet even the most subtle modifications could be the difference between winning and losing, gold and silver, or simply qualifying vs. not qualifying for a team. The author contends that BFB-based sports applications represent a distinct specialization within the exercise and sport sciences, one which he refers to as sport psychophysiology (SPP). This article, Part II in the series, provides a comprehensive outline of the more common applications in SPP. In a subsequent article, we will explore the potential for new frontiers in SPP research and practice.
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