[rev_slider Zone]
THE ZONE
Neurophysiology and the Effects on Performance: In facilitating an Optimal Performance State (OPS) or the Zone. The primary objective in facilitating this Optimal Performance State (OPS) is to focus on the task at hand.
Physiologically this does several things:
- Concentrating on a specific plan lets the brain bring structure to chaos and keeps the Amygdala the emotional center in check.
- The goal is to get the frontal lobes to keep its concentration on the plan and as a result this allows the cerebellum and the rest of the brain to engage in the activity.
- In addition the more an athlete practices physically and visually the better the motor cortex of the brain becomes at knowing exactly which nerves and muscles to trigger each time.
- This is often referred to as “Muscle Memory” When you vividly imagine performing a movement, you use neural pathways similar to those you use in actual performance of the movement.
A large part of what I do involves teaching the athlete mental skills on how to condition their mind to consistently operate in this space of presence, so they can tap into their minds tremendous power.
When athletes are able to train their brain to stop the busy chatter of the conscious mind, they then allow themselves to operate in the presence state or the “here and now.” This way, the athlete is more in control of their sport performance, able to stay focus on task relevant cues and perform more consistently at a high level.
The Optimal State
Through my research on the zone or flow it is the combination of practice involving the cerebellum and concentration of the frontal lobes and low activity of the amygdala that facilitate this state.
In my research on the optimal state, athletes often described their sport performance as:
• Effortless power
• Being in automatic pilot
• Being fully absorbed in their sport
• Being guided by pure instinct, without conscious thought