Neuro-technology in Sport
High-performance sport is moving faster than ever. We have come so far over the last 20 years in physical preparation and now the super-elite are trying to unlock the neurological potential of every athlete.
Neuroscience and neuro-technology are advancing rapidly. Things have moved on from simply testing and studying the neurological potential of athletes. Now sporting organizations are looking for ways to include cognitive training into their athlete’s training regimes. There is now a shift from simply using ‘brain training’ apps and relaxation techniques to a more ‘hands-on’ approach to the actual training of mental skills and resilience. This shift has brought about more demand for neurotech.
Hardware for neurotech took an initial big step into the market. However, the situation in the world over the past 18 months has seen a second shift, now to more mobile technology. With many training facilities and athlete’s often separated, mobile technology is growing faster than ever. Clubs are questioning the higher price and size of hardware in neurotech. Like it or not we live in a mobile world now. In fact, mobile tech has become a necessity. If athletes can access their training from anywhere at any time, this provides far fewer barriers to their overall commitment to the program.
Neurotechnology has been defined as “The set of methods and instruments that allow a direct connection between technical devices and the nervous system” or any technology that directly interfaces with the functioning of the brain.
How will neurotechnology help in Sports?
Neurotechnology gives the coach the ability to look under the hood of the athlete’s brain. We have all sorts of physical screens to make sure our athletes are strong, fit, and healthy. In a professional sport where the money is exchanging hands, you want to make sure your purchase is solid. But what about the athlete’s brain? How are you assessing that? Are you assessing that? How many times have you seen an amazing prospect enter a team or league and fall apart halfway through the season? Not everyone can afford to wait for the experience to kick in. Neurotechnology allows teams and coaches to get better insights to how their athlete’s brain is performing.
Athletes training with neurotechnology develops more resilient brains. They withstand pain and pressure better. In elite sport when the stakes are high this is an essential tool to have in place. If physical screens are your warrant of fitness, neurotechnology is your insurance.
What does Neurotechnology look like?
Neurotechnology comes in many forms and will apply to different situations. It is important to note that not all are created equal or with the same intentions in mind. Some products have neuro elements to their training system but do not necessarily train the brain to the threshold of positive adaptation. Some products are best suited as testing tools for universities conducting studies and do not fit in well to a training environment. Neuro tech can be in the mobile form or in a hardware form that must be installed into a training facility.
Some examples of neurotech are,
Not all neurotechnology is designed for athletes specifically. Some brain training apps offer games that interface with the brain’s decision-making and problem-solving skills. These are generally suitable for the general population but are not specifically designed to create greater mental capacity.
Which neuro tech solution is right for me?
While the market is becoming saturated with the various interpretations of neurotechnology, selecting the right one does not have to be complicated. It is important to be clear on the following,
Are you serious about using neurotech to expand mental capacity? Or are you looking for an additional fun factor element to training and are not concerned about tangible results?
Do you want to see and measure progress? Do you need to be able to show progress in data form to higher-ups? Do your athletes get more motivation from having a set goal in mind?
Are you in a training facility that your athletes have regular access to? How much space is there? How many athletes need to use the tech at the same time?
Do you have to ask for and justify the budget for your neuro tech? Can your club afford larger hardware options or long-term contracts?
Are you athletes often on the road? Has the current world situation required more distance between you and your athletes? Do you need to be able to stay connected to them remotely?
Are you educated in the application of the technology? Does the product offer any education by which you can up-skill in its use and application or programming for your athletes?
How much assistance does the company provide after the product sale? Are they accessible? Do they care about your athlete’s results after the money has exchanged hands?
Has the product or system been studied? Is there proof their system can make improvements in your athlete’s performance?
How do I integrate neuro-technology into my environment?
How you decide to integrate neuro tech into your training regime will vary depending on the system you choose.
Our recommendations for a smooth integration include the following,
Have athletes on a proper training program. This allows you to keep everyone moving towards a goal and avoids ‘wasted’ training time.
Integrate sessions in various ways to make adherence to the program easy for athletes. If you can place some sessions between strength sets, skills practice and even general fitness training it will provide added benefits.
Educate yourself. Up-skill in the area of neurotechnology and how to best apply it for your athlete’s best benefit. Make yourself an asset and stay ahead of the game.
The more you understand how the brain affects an athlete’s performance, the easier it will be for you to integrate your neuro tech solution into your environment.
Ask for help when you need it. Make sure you have access to the providers of your neuro tech solution and that you have a good relationship with them. They designed the tech, they can support you when you need integration assistance.
Do your research. Don’t fast purchase a system without understanding exactly what it is supposed to do and asking all the right questions. Make sure you can completely justify it when you need to ask for a budget.
Get your athletes onboard. Make sure they understand the benefits of the system and why you are using it. Athletes adhere to programs when they understand how and why it can improve Athletes performance.
Where can I learn more about neurotechnology?
You can learn more about neurotechnology and its application to the high-performance sport by checking out soma-npt.ch/technology
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