High Neural Efficiency in Unconscious Perceptual Processing among Table Tennis Athletes: An Event-Related Potential Study

Abstract

Background: Neural efficiency refers to the brain’s ability to function with reduced resource expenditure while maintaining high performance levels. Previous research has demonstrated that table tennis athletes have greater neural efficiency at the conscious level. However, it is unknown whether they exhibit greater neural efficiency at the unconscious level. Therefore, this study aims to investigate unconscious perceptual processing and neural efficiency in elite table tennis athletes through tasks involving the judgment of spin serves. Methods: Fifty healthy, right-handed individuals participated in this study, including 25 elite table tennis athletes and 25 control participants without professional training experience. To evaluate the unconscious perceptual characteristics of both groups, we used a combination of masked priming paradigm and event-related potential techniques. Results: The behavioral results reveal that, compared to the control group, the table tennis athletes displayed reduced reaction times (p p p < 0.001). Conclusions: These results further support the neural efficiency hypothesis, indicating that prolonged professional training enhances athletes’ capacities for specialized unconscious cognitive processing.

Keywords

• table tennis athletes
• neural efficiency
• unconscious perceptual processing
• masked priming paradigm
• event-related potential