The study “Training effects of Interactive Metronome® on golf performance and brain activity in professional woman golf players” investigated the impact of Interactive Metronome (IM) training on professional female golfers’ putting consistency and associated changes in brain function.

In this randomized, controlled study, 20 professional female golfers from the KLPGA were divided into two groups. The experimental group consisted of 10 players who undertook IM training twice a week for 35-40 minutes over six weeks, while the control group, also made up of 10 players, increased their golf playing time by an additional 35-40 minutes twice weekly for six weeks.

The focus of the study was on the impact of IM training on swing speed during putting (specifically at a distance of 2-5m) which can significantly differentiate elite golfers. The golf putting movements and brain activity were analyzed using Kinovea Software and resting state functional MRI (fMRI). Consistency was measured as the standard deviation of mean swing speed during three sections of the swing: backswing, backswing-impact, and impact-finish.

The findings revealed that the professional golfers who underwent IM training demonstrated improved timing consistency between the backswing and impact for both the 2m putt and 5m putt compared to the control group. From the fMRI scans, the IM group showed increased functional connectivity from the superior cerebellar vermis to various regions of the brain (right medial frontal gyrus, left superior temporal gyrus, right middle occipital gyrus, right middle temporal gyrus, right cingulate gyrus, and right supramarginal gyrus) known to play essential roles in motor control and timing.

In conclusion, IM training in professional female golf players appears to improve consistency in putt timing and enhance brain connectivity from the cerebellum to the frontal cortex, which is crucial for motor control and timing.