Halo is a headset worn with the intent to increase performance by priming the brain for activity. The headset is placed on the primary motor cortex: the area of the brain that initiates voluntary movement of muscles. It uses transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS); a weak electrical current applied to the scalp that increases the excitability of the neurons in the primary motor cortex. Because the primary motor cortex controls the muscle contraction and coordination, tDCS increases the efficiency of muscle contractions and improves reaction time, coordination, force, and accuracy of movement.
Athletic performance requires the execution of motor skills in coordination. The practice and consolidation of motor skills can be referred to as motor learning. Results have shown that by combining transcranial direct current stimulation with practice of motor tasks, an improvement in motor sequence learning, visuomotor coordination, reaction time and power can occur. If athletes use HALO while performing sequential skills, coordination and reaction based tasks, research supports that these skills will improve. By improving skills during practice, athletes will accumulate more repetitions that are at a higher quality and improvement in overall performance will result.
Muse is a brain fitness tool that helps you calm and settle your mind. It is a comfortable, lightweight headband with 7 sensors designed to detect and measure your brain activity, just as a heart monitor measures your pulse.
Athletes often say that they “can’t turn off” their minds and this can have a tremendous impact on wellbeing as well as performance. Seeing your brainwave activity allows you to train, condition and enhance your mind moment-to-moment and for the long term. Enhancing brain flexibility allows you to shift brain activity to match what you are doing, such as concentrating during a match or de-stressing after a bad day. Having a more resilient or stable brain allows you to bounce back from setbacks and distractions, as well as improving sleep and dealing with injury.
Muse training sessions can be done in as little as 3 minutes a day, with audio and visual feedback of your brain’s response in real time. When the muse detects you are in a calm mental state, you will hear bird sounds. When you are distracted and unfocused, you will receive feedback in the form of stormy sounds. This form of neurofeedback helps you improve your mind, your concentration and your focus each time you use Muse.