Interactive Metronome Gaining on Sports Performance, while also gaining on Academic and Executive Proficiency Do not use or distribute without written permission.

PRE-TEST TARGET VARIABILITY [before IM® Training] Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M. & Rönnqvist, L. (2009). GOLF PRECISION PRE-TEST TARGET VARIABILITY [before IM® Training] Marius Sommer, 9/26/12, Webinar presentation: Increased accuracy, decreased variability: effects of IM-training on golf shot outcome measures. Do not use or distribute without written permission.

POST-TEST TARGET VARIABILITY [after IM® Training] Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M. & Rönnqvist, L. (2009). GOLF PRECISION POST-TEST TARGET VARIABILITY [after IM® Training] The post-hoc comparisons showed a significant (p < 0.01) difference between the pre- to post-test for the SMT [IM TRAINING] group by means of an overall increasing accuracy (decreasing distance to the pin) at the post-test in comparison to the pre-rest. Such improvement was not found for the Control group. Marius Sommer, 9/26/12, Webinar presentation: Increased accuracy, decreased variability: effects of IM-training on golf shot outcome measures. Do not use or distribute without written permission.

Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M. & Rönnqvist, L. (2009). SUMMARY OF FINDINGS: IM® Training significantly impacted motor timing & synchronization. After 4 weeks of IM® Training, golf shot accuracy increased significantly and variability of performance decreased significantly. Findings suggest that peak golf performance requires “precise, timed, and synchronized sensory motor control.” (Sommer & Rönnqvist, 2009, pg. 655) Do not use or distribute without written permission.

Synchronized metronome training induces changes in the Sommer, M., Häger, C. & Rönnqvist, L. (2014). Sports Biomechanics, 13, 1-16. Synchronized metronome training induces changes in the kinematic properties of the golf swing  Do not use or distribute without written permission.

Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M. , Häger, C Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M., Häger, C. & Rönnqvist, L. (2014). Backtracking to explore more deeply the impact of IM® Training on 13 golfers in the experimental group from previous 2009 study RECAP Age 27.5 ± 4.6 years Handicap 12.7 ± 4.9 10.9 ± 5.0 years of golf-playing experience 12 sessions of IM® training (4 weeks) 45-50 minutes per session Each exercise set for 2-10 minutes 27,000 repetitions completed by end of training Basic IM® exercises (included in software) @ 54bpm From session 8, introduced variable tempos (45, 66, 78) & custom exercises None of the exercises mimicked body movements involved in a golf swing. During each of the first seven sessions, participants performed 4 –10 successive exercises involving basic uni- and bi-lateral motor tasks such as clapping both hands together, tapping one hand alone against the thigh, alternating toe taps on the footpad, tapping one toe or heel alone on the footpad, alternating between tapping one hand on the thigh and one toe on the footpad, and balancing on one foot while tapping with the toe on the contralateral footpad. Each exercise typically lasted from 2 to 10 min, with the metronome reference beat set to 54 bmp. From session number 8, some new reference beat tempos (45, 66, and 78 bmp) and tasks were introduced (i.e. clapping hands while standing on a balance-board, hitting wall mounted sensors with hands crossing body midline, clapping hands behind back, and tapping footpad crossing body midline), however, with similar exercise durations and amount of exercises performed. At the completion of intervention, participants had engaged in approximately 27,000 motor repetitions. None of the exercises performed mimicked body movements involved in a golf swing. Do not use or distribute without written permission.

Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M. , Häger, C Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M., Häger, C. & Rönnqvist, L. (2014). Purpose of this study was to evaluate whether IM® training produced changes in the kinematic properties of the golf swing. Specifically, they analyzed the timing relationships within each arm and in relation to club velocity profiles by means of time-series signals gained from calculations of cross-correlation between different joint motion linkages. Additionally, the phase shift (zero-lagging) of each joint-pair was evaluated to record changes in the temporal sequencing of the golf swing. They hypothesized that IM® training induced the following changes as a result of improved motor timing: between arm-joints motion would become more synchronized and better coordinated variability of limb inter-joint couplings would decrease spatiotemporal properties of the golf swing would become more coordinated, as demonstrated through less variance and decreasing phase shifts between joint couplings Do not use or distribute without written permission.

Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M. , Häger, C Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M., Häger, C. & Rönnqvist, L. (2014). Pre & post assessments Pre & post assessment of timing via Interactive Metronome® assessment 4-iron, 7-iron, and pitching wedge via three-dimensional motion capture system club velocity at three different swing phases (backswing, downswing, and follow-through) cross-correlation analysis of time-series signals were made on joint couplings (wrist –elbow – shoulder) of both arms, and between joints and the club, during the full golf swing for kinematic analysis Cross-correlation analysis unmasks the fundamental temporal characteristics of movement. When applied to continuous kinematic data, researchers can precisely measure the degree of coordination between head, thorax, and pelvis motions during the downswing of professional golfers (Horan and Kavagnah, 2012). Do not use or distribute without written permission.

Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M. , Häger, C Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M., Häger, C. & Rönnqvist, L. (2014). After 4 weeks of IM® training, the athletes demonstrated: improved motor timing changes in the coordinative structure (dynamics) and temporal synchronicity between joint couplings of the arms as well as between individual joints and golf club motions during the golf swing decreased variance in joint couplings, leading to greater shot accuracy & consistency Marius Sommer, 10/24/12, Webinar presentation: Backtracking golf shot outcome measures: investigating golf swing performance measures to gain a better understanding of the effects of IM-training. Do not use or distribute without written permission.

Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M. , Häger, C Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M., Häger, C. & Rönnqvist, L. (2014). Following 4 weeks of IM® Training, the inter limb/club velocity profiles have a stronger linear relation, and are more coordinated. Marius Sommer, 10/24/12, Webinar presentation: Backtracking golf shot outcome measures: investigating golf swing performance measures to gain a better understanding of the effects of IM-training. Do not use or distribute without written permission.

Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M. , Häger, C Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M., Häger, C. & Rönnqvist, L. (2014). Following 4 weeks of IM® Training, the spatiotemporal properties of the golf swing have become more dynamic, manifested through less variance, with decreasing phase shifts (from zero-lag) between joint couplings. Marius Sommer, 10/24/12, Webinar presentation: Backtracking golf shot outcome measures: investigating golf swing performance measures to gain a better understanding of the effects of IM-training. Do not use or distribute without written permission.

Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M. , Häger, C Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M., Häger, C. & Rönnqvist, L. (2014). SUMMARY OF FINDINGS: 4 weeks of IM® Training resulted in improved motor timing that transferred to an unrelated motor task, that of movement sequencing involved in golf swing performance and golf shot accuracy. Research has shown that: an auditory rhythmic cue may influence the dynamics of movement over an entire movement cycle by improving temporal precision Reducing variability Encouraging the selection of optimal movement trajectories, velocity, and acceleration parameters (Thaut & Kenyon, 2003). Through neuroplasticity, IM® Training produced more tightly coupled joint dynamics during the golf swing that were then completely reinforced and amalgamated in motor memory. Since IM® Training improves temporal processing and motor execution by “fine-tuning the timing components (and coordination dynamics) of multi-joint movements,” it can be assumed that it may also increase peak performance in other sports that require precise timing & rhythm Do not use or distribute without written permission.

Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Libkuman, Otani, & Steger (2002) 6 female & 34 male golfers age 37 ± 11.57 years, randomly assigned to experimental or control group Experimental group 12 sessions of IM Training over 5 weeks 50 minutes per session Control group read 12 pages of golf tips each day of the study authored by prominent professional golfers and instructors Golfers in both groups completely abstained from golf related activities during the study. Pre & post measures: Full Swing Golf Simulator® measured distance from ball to pin Timing measured via Interactive Metronome® No difference between groups at pre-test measuring distance from ball to pin. Do not use or distribute without written permission.

Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Libkuman, Otani, & Steger (2002) “IM® is the hottest equipment on the PGA tour.” Scott Riehl, Head Strength & Conditioning Specialist for PGA Tour *Vijay Singh & Glen Day < 15ms during IM Assessment (Golf Digest, February 2003) IM® group demonstrated 20% overall gain in golf shot accuracy Advanced golfers in the IM® group who already demonstrated consistent swing mechanics demonstrated even larger gains in golf shot accuracy (35% increase) Do not use or distribute without written permission.

Mean Improvement in Millisecond Timing EXPERIMENTAL GROUP [IM Training] Do not use or distribute without written permission.

Mean Change in Distance (feet) from Ball to Pin EXPERIMENTAL GROUP [IM Training] Do not use or distribute without written permission.

Mean Change in Distance (feet) from Ball to Pin CONTROL GROUP [Read golf tips] Do not use or distribute without written permission.

Improve Sports and Grades https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kf1LBi0RAls Do not use or distribute without written permission.

Sommer, M. , Häger, C. , Olsson, C. J. , & Rönnqvist, L. (2014) Sommer, M., Häger, C., Olsson, C. J., & Rönnqvist, L. (2014). Manuscript in progress. Timing training in female soccer players: effects on motor skill and associated changes in functional brain activity  Do not use or distribute without written permission.

Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M. , Häger, C Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M., Häger, C., Olsson, C. J., & Rönnqvist, L. (2014) 24 elite & sub-elite women soccer players Mean age = 19.5 (range 16.2 – 25.8 years) Mean years of experience = 12.4 (range 5.5 – 19.0 years) Randomly assigned to: experimental group [IM® Training] control group Both groups participated in regular soccer practices (6 days per week) throughout the study Pre & post measures [all measures completed for both groups] Cross-pass precision & variability Timing & rhythmic skills via Interactive Metronome®, including 2 custom tests (detailed on p.36 of manuscript available online – see bibliography) Brain activation pattern during action observation (fMRI) Do not use or distribute without written permission.

Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M. , Häger, C Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M., Häger, C., Olsson, C. J., & Rönnqvist, L. (2014) Cross-pass was chosen because… Challenging for virtually all players at all skill levels Best activity to evaluate soccer-kick accuracy and variability Performance on the cross-pass has been found to be predictive of player ability Involves supra-second timing, coordination, motor control & millisecond timing Important for soccer match performance & requires significant visual-motor integration, whole body control & gaze shifts. An athlete that executes this skill with superior motor control, timing, and focus is an athlete that demonstrates successful problem-solving for motor planning and a high degree of sensorimotor synchronization. Do not use or distribute without written permission.

Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M. , Häger, C Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M., Häger, C., Olsson, C. J., & Rönnqvist, L. (2014) Interactive Metronome® Training [experimental group] 3-4 basic uni- and bilateral motor exercises 10 exercises focusing on general soccer-related foot movements (variety of shuffle steps and step sequences) Tempo 54 bpm for most exercises (approx. 60% of them) Tempo increased to between 66-100 bpm on some exercises 3 IM® training sessions per week (12 hours) for a total of 27,000 repetitions Do not use or distribute without written permission. Photos courtesy of Marius Sommer

Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M. , Häger, C Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M., Häger, C., Olsson, C. J., & Rönnqvist, L. (2014) b) As expected, the Metronome group, that underwent a 4 week timing training intervention, increased their timing and rhythmic skills significantly. Control group did not. Figure A & B shows a significant minskning från pre- tillpost-test både vad gäller deviation from the reference beat and variability Significantly improved performance (p<.05) from pre- to posttest on [sensorimotor synchronization] and variability for the experimental [IM® Training group]. Marius Sommer, 12/18/13, Webinar presentation: Effects of IM-training on soccer-skill performance in a sample of female elite soccer players.   Do not use or distribute without written permission.

Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M. , Häger, C Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M., Häger, C., Olsson, C. J., & Rönnqvist, L. (2014) Significantly better soccer-kick accuracy in group that received 4 weeks of IM® Training with less variability (or inconsistency) p<.05 Marius Sommer, 12/18/13, Webinar presentation: Effects of IM-training on soccer-skill performance in a sample of female elite soccer players.   Do not use or distribute without written permission.

Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M. , Häger, C Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M., Häger, C., Olsson, C. J., & Rönnqvist, L. (2014) Significant decrease in brain activity patterns for bilateral cerebellum, superior temporal gyrus and fusiform gyrus from pre- to post-test. The better the performance on IM®, the less activation seen on fMRI Suggests more efficient pattern of neural recruitment as a result of IM® Training, less conscious monitoring of performance, and greater automaticity. BOLD relative to control movie The larger the effects of SMT on soccer-kick performance, the less activation during soccer AO relative to control movie observation Marius Sommer, 12/18/13, Webinar presentation: Effects of IM-training on soccer-skill performance in a sample of female elite soccer players.   Do not use or distribute without written permission.

Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M. , Häger, C Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Sommer, M., Häger, C., Olsson, C. J., & Rönnqvist, L. (2014) “This study suggests that high performing athletes may be able to further fine-tune performance by means of streamlining the temporal mechanisms underpinning motor coordination and control. It has been shown in this study (in addition to the former studies on golf) that successful/optimal performance of motor skills require a precise coordination and control of numerous muscles and sensors guided by the underlying timing centers in the brain Brain neural activity supporting such performance can be fine-tuned and enhanced through (non-task specific) training, in this case [IM Training].” Quote from Marius Sommer (May 28, 2014) during webinar presentation titled, Effects of IM-training on soccer-skill performance, in a sample of female elite soccer players, based upon the manuscript referenced above Do not use or distribute without written permission.

Athlete Performance on IM® & Peak Sports Performance FOR PEAK SPORTS PERFORMANCE Task Average scores below 22 ms Variability Average scores below 22 ms High number of BURSTS High IAR In training you will facilitate this by adjusting various software settings. Do not use or distribute without written permission.

Training Frequency & Duration Commit to minimum of 3 times per week for 4-5 weeks (60 minute sessions). Training can be completed in a shorter time span with more intense schedule of 5-6 times per week for 2-3 weeks (60 minute sessions). Once initial program is completed, booster sessions (2 week intensive training 5-6 times per week prior to competition) are recommended to maintain peak performance & achieve further improvement in sensorimotor synchronization. Program can be provided in a center or in the home setting www.atotalapproach.com Do not use or distribute without written permission.

https://maudeleroux.com/ Maude Le Roux, OTR/L, SIPT, IMC Websites https://maudeleroux.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ATAMaudeLerouxOT/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-total-approach Blog http://www.maude-leroux.com/ Do not use or distribute without written permission.