1. Interactive Metronome
Gaining on Sports Performance, while also gaining on Academic and Executive Proficiency
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2. 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.
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3. 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.
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4. 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)
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5. 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 
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6. 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 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.
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7. 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
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8. 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).
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9. 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.
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10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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
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13. Improved Athletic Performance with IM® Training Libkuman, Otani, & Steger (2002)
6 female & 34 male golfers age 37 ± 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.
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14. 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)
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15. Mean Improvement in Millisecond Timing EXPERIMENTAL GROUP [IM Training]
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16. Mean Change in Distance (feet) from Ball to Pin EXPERIMENTAL GROUP [IM Training]
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17. Mean Change in Distance (feet) from Ball to Pin CONTROL GROUP [Read golf tips]
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18. Improve Sports and Grades
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19. 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 
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20. 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)
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21. 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.
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22. 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 bpm on some exercises
3 IM® training sessions per week (12 hours) for a total of 27,000 repetitions
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Photos courtesy of Marius Sommer

23. 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.
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24. 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.

25. 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.
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26. 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
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27. 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.
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28. 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
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29. https://maudeleroux.com/
Maude Le Roux, OTR/L, SIPT, IMC
Websites
Facebook
LinkedIn
Blog
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