Andy is a member of the Institute for the Psychology of Elite Performance at Bangor University. He has a BSc in Sport Science (Bangor University, 2004-2007) and a PhD in Psychophysiology (University of Birmingham, 2007-2010). Andy worked as an ESRC Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham (2010-2012), before returning to Bangor University as a Lecturer in the School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences (2013-Present). His research employs a multi-measure approach (e.g., brain, eyes, heart and muscles) to investigate: a) the psychophysiological mechanisms underpinning human performance; and b) psychophysiological interventions to enhance performance (e.g., neurofeedback training). It covers a range of performance domains including sport (e.g., preparatory cortical activity distinguishes successful from unsuccessful golf putts), health (e.g., effects of neurofeedback on the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease), and transportation (e.g., effects of gaze-training on driving), and has been supported by a variety of funders (e.g., ESRC, NHS, AXA insurance, England and Wales Cricket Board). 

Location: Room G302.1, George Building, School of Sport Health & Exercise Sciences

Email: a.m.cooke@bangor.ac.uk

Bio: I am a lecturer conducting research in Psychophysiology, Sport Psychology and Skill Acquisition. I am particularly interested in understanding the mechanisms that underpin human performance, and psychophysiological interventions to enhance performance (e.g., brain training). I work with a number of high-profile organisations in sport, business and health. I am a member of the Institute for the Psychology of Elite Performance (IPEP) and lead the Psychophysiology of Performance Laboratory (POP-Lab).

IPEP webpage: http://ipep.bangor.ac.uk/

POP-Lab webpage: https://sites.google.com/view/pop-lab/home

  • PGCert (Distinction) - Higher Education
  • PhD - Psychophysiology
    University of Birmingham,
  • BSc (Hons) First Class - Sport Science
    University of Wales, Bangor,

My primary research interests are in:

a) the psychophysiological mechanisms underpinning human performance.

b) psychophysiological interventions to enhance performance (e.g., neurofeedback training).

I apply these interests to a range of performance domains including sport, health/rehabilitation, business and transportation.

I am interested in supervising PhD projects related to skill acquisition, performance psychology and/or psychophysiology.

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2017

  • Practice makes efficient: Effects of golf practice on brain activity

    This study employed a test-retest design to examine changes in brain activity associated with practice of a motor skill. We recorded EEG activity from twelve right-handed recreational golfers (mean handicap: 23) as they putted 50 balls to a 2.4m distant hole, before and after a 3-day practice. We measured changes in putting performance, conscious processing, and regional EEG alpha activity. Putting performance improved and conscious processing decreased after practice. Mediation analyses revealed that performance improvements were associated with changes in EEG alpha, whereby activity in task-irrelevant cortical regions (temporal regions) was inhibited and functionally isolated from activity in task-relevant regions (central regions). These findings provide evidence for the development of greater neurophysiological efficiency with practice of a motor skill.

    2017

    Links:

    Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)

2015

01/2019: Economic & Social Research Council Impact Acceleration Fund (£9,984). The psychology of hazard perception. Role = Principal Investigator.

02/2017: England and Wales Cricket Board (£40,000). Profiling and enhancing performance under pressure in elite cricketers. Role = Co-Investigator

01/2017: AXA (€130,000). How to reduce the risk of accidents in driving: The effect of gaze-contingent perceptual training on driving safety. Role = Academic Mentor  

10/2015: Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (£57,060). EEG Neurofeedback to improve motor function in Parkinson’s. Role = Principal Investigator

10/2014: European Social Fund (£6,480). All in the head: Neural underpinnings of Plane-Easy learning in golf. Role = Co-Principal Investigator  

09/2014: NEURODEM Cymru (£5,964). Neurofeedback in Parkinson’s disease. Role = Co-Investigator

07/2014: English Institute of Sport (£58,700). Psychophysiological profiling of elite coaches. Role = Co-Investigator

04/2013: National Institute for Social Care & Health Research (£22,637). Research equipment award. Role = Co-Principal Investigator

11/2011: Economic & Social Research Council (£79,301). The social and cognitive neuroscience of performance under pressure. Role = Named Researcher

10/2010: Economic & Social Research Council (£82,154). The winner takes it all versus all for one and one for all: The social neuroscience of individual and intergroup competition. Role = Principal Investigator

Outside of work, Andy enjoys watching and participating in sport, where he tries to employ the performance-optimization techniques that he researches.