EEG dynamics and neural generators of psychological flow during one tightrope performance

Abstract

Psychological "flow" emerges from a goal requiring action, and a match between skills and challenge. Using high-density electroencephalographic (EEG) recording, we quantified the neural generators characterizing psychological "flow" compared to a mindful "stress" state during a professional tightrope performance. Applying swLORETA based on self-reported mental states revealed the right superior temporal gyrus (BA38), right globus pallidus, and putamen as generators of delta, alpha, and beta oscillations, respectively, when comparing "flow" versus "stress". Comparison of "stress" versus "flow" identified the middle temporal gyrus (BA39) as the delta generator, and the medial frontal gyrus (BA10) as the alpha and beta generator. These results support that "flow" emergence required transient hypo-frontality. Applying swLORETA on the motor command represented by the tibialis anterior EMG burst identified the ipsilateral cerebellum and contralateral sensorimotor cortex in association with on-line control exerted during both "flow" and "stress", while the basal ganglia was identified only during "flow". Over 40 years ago, Csikszentmihalyi 1 first introduced the concept of psychological "flow", defined as a singular mental state accompanying exceptional performance, which was later popularized as being "in the zone" 2. It is generally accepted that this exceptional state emerges from a clear goal that requires action, and a perfect match between specific skills and challenges 3-5. It is a unique sensation, accompanied by a transformation of time, which most commonly occurs in persons engaged in high-skill motor practices, such as champion athletes 6,7 and musicians 8-11. Psychological "flow" may also be considered a specific state of consciousness requiring involvement of the cortical areas participating in the neural correlates of consciousness (NCC). The NCC was initially defined by Crick and Koch 12 in 1990 as the minimal neuronal mechanisms jointly sufficient for any specific conscious experience, and the full NCC is considered the union of all content-specific NCCs 13,14. We hypothesized that flow identity may be an emergent conscious experience involving specific recruitment among the neural network of the NCC. This notion is supported by the idea that some brain functions necessitate an efficient network of connections and once such coordinated complexity is attained, the emergent properties of consciousness happen, producing the flow sensation. As this sensation goes along with or follows movement, a functional tradeoff between external and internal force must be continuously controlled. The sensation of flow would emerge in a particular physiological state where (1) an appropriate central resting state, including memorized items and motivation is present, (2) the initial intention must be translated by the descending motor commands to the muscles in order to generate forces and displacements, and (3) the ascending somesthetic signals must produce ideal feedback sensations closing the loop between action and sen...

Neural Oscillation During Mental Imagery in Sport: An Olympic Sailor Case Study

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Go with the flow: A neuroscientific view on being fully engaged

“…CEN components) were found to be more active during flow. In contrast to the studies of Ulrich et al is the more recent study of Leroy and Cheron (2020), who studied brain activity in a professional tightrope performer. Their results were more in line with Dietrich's hypofrontality hypothesis.…”

“…Illustrative examples are highly skilled athletes, dancers or musicians who perform the acts that they have practiced intensively for so many times (e.g. Leroy & Cheron, 2020). Nevertheless, it is unlikely that flow is only related to the execution of well-learned behavioural or cognitive sequences because in that case it can be expected to occur only in routine tasks, which is not the case.…”

“…Thus, EEG may serve as a brain imagining technique in this context. A good example of such an approach is the study of Leroy and Cheron (2020). They examined EEG in a professional tightrope performer and, compared to more stressful task periods, found distinct patterns of brain activity during flow-like periods.…”

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