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We are all aware that our brain and body are connected.
But how do our cognitive abilities and psychological health affect our physical abilities? How can brain training improve, for example, our responsiveness, visual acuity, memory, and more? Athletic performance requires various cognitive functions, such as attention, decision-making, and working memory, to be able to perform at an optimal level in stressful and challenging environments (such as a sports environment). 1
Brain training, also known as cognitive training, consists of a series of targeted mental exercises to improve your brain function. Professional athletes often perform cognitive performance exercises as part of their training program. By stimulating their brain function beforehand, they are then in a better position to focus on their physical abilities.
How is brain training relevant for professional athletes?
Studies have shown that brain exercises can help boost psychological health and improve certain cognitive skills, such as memory, attention, and problem-solving. 2
Sports aren't just about skills and physical abilities. Being a good athlete also requires engaging a wide range of cognitive functions. By enhancing their cognitive abilities in perception and decision-making, for example, professional athletes are better able to predict their opponents' movements. This allows them to determine their own accuracy and speed during a match.
There are different areas of cognitive skills. Each of these areas is essential if you are aiming for excellence in your sport:
Attention
- Sustained: It is important to be able to maintain long-term attention and concentration
- Selective: You must be able to mentally block out any external distractions
- Flexible: you must be able to transfer your concentration from one element to another
Memory
- Long term: retaining knowledge for future performance
- Work: Draw on knowledge that will work in your favor
Visual processing
- Visualization: Creating mental images and scenarios in your head
- Visual scanning: assimilating peripheral information in the blink of an eye
- Discrimination: Pinpointing the small differences that will affect your performance
Sensory Integration and Thinking
- Timing/Rhythm: Timing to the second and moving at the best pace
- Planning: short and long term planning
- Decision speed: being able to make decisions quickly
How to train your brain?
It's difficult to replicate certain sports scenarios without actually experiencing them, but there are ways you can train your brain to be ready when the time comes. Here are some ideas to help you train your brain to be in the best possible mental state:
- Visualize accomplishment. If you tell yourself you're here to accomplish a mission and win or complete the challenge or training you've set for yourself, you'll find it easier to accomplish.
- Practice mindfulness. By practicing mindfulness on a daily basis, you'll find that in a sporting event, you'll more easily distinguish between what's important and what's abstract.
- Plan your success. Think about how you will achieve your goal. Visualize it. Before you start exercising, visualize the scenario in your head.
- Focus on positivity. We will always be surrounded by both positive and negative influences. If you feel a lot of negativity around you, focus on the positivity within you. Refocus on what makes you happy and what motivates you.
To be the best version of yourself, you shouldn't limit yourself to your physical abilities. When it comes to training, brain training is just as important as physical training. It's often said that the mind gives up before the body. So, by strengthening your mental strength as much as possible, you'll give yourself the best chance of success.