Event-Related Synchronization and Desynchronization in Virtual-Reality Ball Interception Protocol

In the present work, the Event-Related Synchronization and Desynchronization (ERS/ERD) index, expressed as a function of the Spectral F-Test (SFT), was applied to evaluate motor response uncertainty. The aim of this study was to investigate the EEG synchronization prior to the motor response in order to intercept a ball with unknown trajectory. A protocol of soccer-penalty simulation in 3D virtual reality environment was proposed, composed by a ball interception procedure that simulates the defense from the goalkeeper view, divided into three types of stimuli: left (LB), right (RB) and centered ball. The EEG signals of 27 right-handed adults were assessed using ERS/ERD index, and the McNemar test was then applied in order to compare the proportions of synchronization occurrence for the same channels and frequency bands between LB-RB with 0.05 of significance level. The results indicate a consistent occurrence of ERS in gamma band, but not for alpha and beta bands. Also, the synchronization occurrence seems to differ depending on the direction of the ball trajectory, particularly in gamma band. These findings support the need of further studies to provide important parameters to analyze neural activity during motor preparation.