Training the brain
also essential and goes hand in hand with
physical exercise.
So called ‘above the neck’ training aims to
create an ‘athletic brain’ programmed to
anticipate, read and react to many different
scenarios without the need to physically
engage in the sport, allowing an athlete to
focus on and improve mental focus.
For example, virtual games using cognitive
training are thought to improve peripheral
vision and reaction speed. (The game is
played using a keyboard and computer
screen).
A similar approach was taken on U.S and
Israeli Air Force pilots which improved
performance in the cockpit by 30%.
By now the 2016 Olympics in Rio seem a long distant memory,
but it was a good result for Team GB this year taking home 27
Gold medals and coming second in the rankings.
Can we do better next time round? And,
more specifically, what can we learn about
the benefits of applying neuroscience and
technology to sport?
When it comes to sport, the importance
of an athlete’s mental state cannot be
underplayed. Whilst an athlete’s physique,
genetics and practice are important
factors in gaining that all competitive
edge, it would seem that the key to
optimising an athlete’s performance lies in
the brain and cognitive training.
Players on the pitch and tennis courts
undoubtedly face intense psychological
pressure, and that’s mainly from the battle
going on in their heads; we can see it
written on their faces (and in the throwing
of rackets during a tough game). Indeed,
it is thought that performance is often
the result of what’s going on in the mind.
Players therefore often use techniques
such as visualisation to focus the mind
and improve performance.
In a recent online interview (www.
theplayerstribune.com/agnieszkaradwanska-tennis/) tennis player
Agnieszka Radwańska stresses the
importance of practice and planning:
”For years and years at practice, shot
after shot, I plan, I strategize. So the
moment that I actually step onto a court
for a match, I don’t ha ve to think. It’s
automatic. It’s second nature.”
So how far can athletes and players push
themselves to actually do things second
nature, and effectively?
Technology applying neuroscience is
addressing exactly that by making it
possible for athletes to think fast and
perform almost automatically. After all, it
often comes down to those crucial few
seconds.
But a little science first… The basic
function of the brain is to govern
behaviours, including movement. Areas
of the cerebral cortex control movement
through motor neurons (located in the
spinal cord) which activate the various
groups of muscles, thereby creating
movement.
So how significant is this to improving
‘thinking time’? Apparently it’s all about
strengthening the connections between
the neurons and muscles.
Brain plasticity or ‘hyperplasticity’ is a
term used to refer to the brain’s ability to
create new connections when it learns
new processes, as when learning a new
language or learning to ride a bike.
Team USA’s sprinters Michael Tinsley and
Mike Rodgers sought that all competitive
edge by wearing headphones (‘The
Halo Sport’) whilst training which send
an electrical stimulation to the brain,
apparently creating stronger connections
between the neurons and muscles. This
also means that everything becomes
more meaningful to the brain, including
those vital moments when starting or
finishing a race.
But hyperplasticity isn’t enough to unlock
an athlete’s potential. Cognitive training is
Nike and The Retina Institute of Hawaii
have teamed up to run a neurosensory
and physical training facility where athletes
undergo visual training and are evaluated
on their level of visual clarity, depth
perception and hand to eye coordination.
However, it’s not all just mind (or brain
stimulation) over matter; it turns out
athletes are more quick thinking and
efficient than non-athletes.
Researchers at South China Normal
University studied the effects of
gymnastics training on the brain. They
scanned the brains of gymnasts and
found that nerve connections between
the cortex and spinal cord were stronger
and the areas corresponding to motor and
attention more efficient.
So it turns out that just physically engaging
in a sport (or gymnastics) strengthens our
cognitive abilities.
It will be interesting to see what the
techies come up with next in the world of
sport. It also remains to be seen whether
athletes will embrace cognitive training and
technology as well as the effects this will
have on overall performance.
But let’s not forget about the bottom line,
a lot of this will be costly and an athlete or
team will need to be backed by sufficient
resources and investment before they can
reap the benefits of neuroscience and
technology.
Will there be a fair and level playing field in
the future or, as with Formula 1, will a lot
depend on the vehicle and technology?
(Of course that’s not to undermine the
impressive cognitive abilities of F1 drivers,
but it’s only part of the equation to a good
result).
As with most things in life, only time will tell.
By Carmen Calvo-Couto
59