Background: Female basketball players often face difficulties in maintaining free throw accuracy, particularly under psychological and neural pressure. Traditional training emphasizes physical skills, often neglecting cognitive and neurophysiological factors essential for precision performance. Objective: This study examined the effect of neurofeedback training on free throw accuracy in female basketball players at the University of Baghdad, comparing outcomes between an experimental group and a control group, and assessing associated neural changes. Methods: A quasi-experimental design involved two groups: an experimental group receiving neurofeedback to regulate brainwave activity, and a control group undergoing traditional training. Free throw accuracy was measured pre- and post-intervention. Statistical analyses included paired and independent t-tests and ANCOVA. EEG recordings evaluated alpha and theta wave activity. Results: The experimental group showed significant improvement in free throw accuracy compared to the control group (p = 0.001). EEG analysis revealed modulation of alpha and theta waves, indicating enhanced neural efficiency and focus. Discussion: Findings suggest that neurofeedback improves performance by enhancing attentional control, motor coordination, and neural self-regulation, addressing factors often overlooked in conventional training. Conclusion: Neurofeedback is an effective and innovative intervention to enhance free throw accuracy in female basketball players. Integrating neurofeedback into training programs may provide substantial benefits for precision-based skills where mental stability and neural control are critical.
