Neuroscience Research Applied in Sports

1) Effort more than Achievement

 

2) Character more than Talent

 

3) Attitude more than Aptitude

 

The three principles are adapted from a philosophy embraced by the Hyde Schools (www.hydeschool.edu).  They are consistent with cognitive neuroscience research.  At the NUA we often search for real-world applications emerging from neuroscience.  Bodie Miller's win resulting in his first Olympic Gold Medal provides an example.  In the NYT's link below, this paragraph grabbed my attention: "Miller has strenuously and relentlessly preached a philosophy that values the quest for perfection of performance rather than a quest for results and medals, but on Sunday, in his glee, he blurred the line repeatedly..." See below for more.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/22/sports/olympics/22skiing.html?ref=sports

 

The research emerging from cognitive neuroscience finds that effort and slow relentless progress, rather than innate talent or intelligence, are most important to high performance.  Scientists have understood that the discovery process is more important than the outcome.  Achievement, discoveries and success do happen when effort is sustained.