"The minute you try to think about what you're doing, your brain trips over itself." Instead, rely on the neuromuscular connections you've built during training: Keep that forehand crisp by focusing on what hitting a crisp forehand feels like-not following a list of commands about how to do it. The autonomic part of the brain that controls sports movements like running strides and tennis forehands runs independent of the cognitive brain, says McGee. Overthinking is easy when you're fatigued. Instead, use affirmative self-talk and imagery focused on relaxation. "If you type in 'Do not find last month's taxes,' chances are it will find last month's taxes." So when you say to yourself, Okay, don't tense up, your brain accesses the program on how to tense up muscles. Your brain is like a search engine, says Bobby McGee, a professional running coach and the author of Magical Running. But instead of fantasizing about coming from behind to beat your rival, focus on the physical sensations you want to achieve during competition, whether it's a smooth stride or a flushed 3-wood. Run a mental movie of a competition from a first-person perspective. "When you daydream, you're training your neuromuscular connections-the impulses that affect muscle memory," says Ungerleider. This data will keep you surprise-free and smooth come game day. You're collecting data about how your body operates," says Kristen Dieffenbach, Ph.D., a certified sports-psychology advisor to the U.S. "Be hyperaware of what your legs feel like and what your lungs feel like. We've tapped into a few of their secrets.ĭuring workouts, don't block out pain. ![]() World-class athletes know how to exploit their brains to ensure a competitive edge come game day. "Mental anxiety before a performance can create adrenaline, which can be productive for some people but extremely counterproductive for others," says Steven Ungerleider, Ph.D., author of Mental Training for Peak Performance. ![]() There's a fine line between psyching yourself up and psyching yourself out.
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