Biofeedback
Another advantage to using a 3D system is the use of biofeedback. A 3D session with biofeedback might include:
- An initial assessment
- Selection and communication of target change/improvement
- Biofeedback tone used to identify desired position/movement achieved
- Biofeedback tone removed to see how the position/movement is retained
- Tracking student progression - where they started, where they were mid-lesson, where they are end of lesson
Some of the advantages to using biofeedback training, as noted by Dr. Rob Neal, include:
- Speed of Movement: It can give us a clear idea of how much we may need to slow down the movement in order to perform it correctly. The intention is for quality practice and repetitions to ingrain the new pattern of movement. Too often the student expects improvements while trying to maintain maximal speed in their golf swing. It is an almost impossible ‘ask’ of the body and our neurological make-up.
- Instantaneous Feedback: Once the golfer is ready to attempt swing changes during a full speed swing, the system can give feedback at exactly the moment the error (or the correct movement) has occurred. It can be given faster than any coach can give verbal feedback. Also, because it uses a sound for feedback, it can be done while in actual golf posture with the golfer’s focus on the ball - it does not require looking elsewhere.
- Focus your Practice: A short session can help your student to focus their practice time by giving them the correct feel for the movement you are trying to have them perform. As little as ten minutes prior to your practice session can be enormously valuable.
Let's watch as Dr. Neal uses biofeedback tones to indicate when Maribel is in the correct position.
Dr. Neal: So Maribel let me explain to you what's going to happen here. I've set a zone on the computer for the movement of your pelvis. If you sway too much to the right the tone will go off. If you stay centered as you turn, the tone will stay on.
On the backswing we want to keep the tone on, but on the downswing when we add that in, we want to make sure we turn the beep off, so that you're getting your weight over to your left side.
Alright, we're going to start with a drill first of all. Take your right had to your left shoulder. That's it, come up here, bend forward again back to your set up posture. Right across here. I'll turn the beep back on. [steady tone] and Maribel I just want you to practice making a back swing here, and turning back, keeping the beep on, and line this club up with the one on the ground. [tone silences]
Yeah, exactly, so do that again for me. [steady tone] Go to set up. [tone silences] turn [steady tone] keeping the beep on. [tone intermittent] Good. Well done. Same thing [steady tone] just to the top of the backswing, alright? Go to the top and stop. Good. Come back into it again. [tone intermittent] Well done. [steady tone] What does that feel like Maribel?
Maribel: It feels really tight.
Dr. Neal: Alright.
Maribel: My hips, it's like it's restricted or something.
Dr. Neal: Okay good, because if we've stopped the sway, we're making a coil here. Alright, so let's try it again. This time when you get to the top, if you keep the beep on, then you can add the down swing by turning it off. [intermittent tone] Good, so it went off just a little bit on the backswing. [steady tone] Your hips actually went a little bit towards the left. But don't, worry, it's fine. Good, you ready to try this with a golf ball?
Maribel: Yes.
[steady tone] So beep on and set up.
[ Steady Tone ]
Dr. Neal: Perfect student. First time you did it perfectly, well done. But you know Shakespeare once said, "One swallow doth not a summer make." So you're going to have to do it a few more times for me.
[ Intermittent Tone ]
Dr. Neal: Great work. So let's do this, let's try this now, without the tone. The nice thing here is I can just watch the TV here and see if the numbers change color or not. Good. So the contact wasn't so good, but the movement of the body was fine.
Maribel: Oh okay.