Alpha waves A healthy adult at rest is most likely to show an EEG pattern characterized by a high level of alpha waves.
Alpha waves are types of brain waves detected by using medical equipment such as magnetoencephalography (MEG) or electroencephalography (EEG), which measures the oscillation of electrical impulses in various sections on the scalp. Alpha waves usually come from the occipital lobe when the eyes are closed during wakeful relaxation such as when performing aerobic exercise. Alpha waves are minimized when sleeping or when the eyes are opened.