Introduction
Mental training has gained prominence in the preparation of high-performance athletes, acting as a crucial tool to deal with the pressure and emotional instability inherent to sporting competitions. This article discusses the impact of sports viewing on athlete performance, with a specific focus on football, using data from the Premier League.
Visualization and Sports Performance
Visualization consists of imagining specific scenarios and responding to them mentally, preparing the athlete for real situations in competitions. This method has proven to be effective in improving the performance of athletes in various sports, including football. Scalón and Souza (2004) indicate that athletes who imagine themselves triumphing learn to respond better to competitive demands, integrating visualization as a substantial technique in training programs.
Visualization Methodology
The practical application of visualization was investigated through a study with a Premier League athlete. The 23-year-old player had never had contact with cognitive therapies related to football. After three viewing sessions, a significant improvement in his performance was observed. This process involved the athlete imagining himself performing defensive actions, decisive passes and even scoring goals, increasing focus and concentration during games.
The brain’s ability to process imagery as if it were real is a fundamental phenomenon that allows athletes to benefit from visualization practices. Studies have shown that this technique can improve the precision of specific movements and even increase muscle strength through imagining physical exercises (Hamilton, 2019).
Study Results
Analysis of data from seven games showed an improvement in the athlete’s performance after the visualization sessions. The player, who was initially among the substitutes, became a starter, showing an increase in confidence and effectiveness on the field. Performance indicators, such as successful passes, cuts and tackles, also showed significant improvements.
Clinical and Neuroscientific Implications
Visualization not only improves sports performance, but can also be used to overcome trauma. Techniques such as Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) derived from EMDR help reconfigure traumatic memories, creating new synaptic connections that can transform the athlete’s emotional experience (Rodrigues, 2022).
Neuroscience maintains that visualization activates changes in brain plasticity, strengthening engram cells and facilitating the clarity of information. The interaction between visualization and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulates the response to stress and anxiety, critical factors in sports performance (Rodrigues, 2022).
Conclusion
The application of visualization as part of the training of high-performance football athletes has shown positive results in both individual and collective performance. This technique, combined with cognitive-behavioral interventions, can increase emotional resilience and efficiency on the field, contributing to the athlete’s continuous evolution.
Reference:
Scalón, APS, & Souza, MC (2004). Digital Magazine – Mental Training as a significant variable in athletes’ performance and in learning motor skills. Buenos Aires: Year 10, N° 75.
Hamilton, D. (2019). Real vs Imaginary in the Brain and Body. Available at: https://drdavidhamilton.com/real-vs-imaginary-in-the-brain-and-body/.
Rodrigues, FAA (2022). Neuroanatomy in patients with persistent depressive disorder and immune cell changes. Cognitions Scientific Magazine. https://doi.org/10.38087/2595.8801.133
Dr. Fabiano de Abreu Agrela Rodrigues MRSB holds a post-PhD in Neuroscience and is an elected member of Sigma Xi – The Scientific Research Honor Society (more than 200 members of Sigma Xi have received the Nobel Prize), as well as being a member of the Society for Neuroscience in the United States, the Royal Society of Biology and The Royal Society of Medicine in the United Kingdom, the European Society of Human Genetics in Vienna, Austria, and the APA – American Philosophical Association in the United States. He holds a Master’s degree in Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in History and Biology. He is also a Technologist in Anthropology and Philosophy, with several national and international degrees in Neuroscience and Neuropsychology. Dr. Fabiano is a member of prestigious high IQ societies, including Mensa International, Intertel, ISPE High IQ Society, Triple Nine Society, ISI-Society, and HELLIQ Society High IQ. He is the author of more than 300 scientific studies and 30 books. He is currently a visiting professor at PUCRS in Brazil, UNIFRANZ in Bolivia and Santander in Mexico. He also serves as Director of CPAH – Centro de Pesquisa e Análises Heráclito and is the creator of the GIP project, which estimates IQ through the analysis of genetic intelligence. Dr. Fabiano is also a registered journalist, having his name included in the book of records for achieving four records, one of which is for being the greatest creator of characters in the history of the press.