Apr 26, 2024

Neuroathletics: Brain Training for Peak Athletic Performance

Build muscle, get faster or score points - all with your head ? Yes, it's possible. And it's exactly the approach that neuroathletics is based on. Maybe you've seen top athletes doing exercises that look completely atypical for their competitive sport and hardly put any strain on the body - this is completely normal in neuroathletics training : the brain is trained with special exercises. According to neuroscience, this should also lead to an improvement in physical performance . In this story, we'll tell you exactly how the brain workout works, what effects it has and which neuroathletics exercises are suitable for beginners and advanced athletes.

Why Exercises Are Useful for the Brain: Explaining Neuroathletics

The principle of neuroathletics is based on the question of how we are able to carry out actions . The answer is the brain - your control center: This is where all information is processed to control your every movement. To do this, your brain sends signals to your nerve cells and muscles . And you can mentally train this process to improve and speed it up - with neurosport.

Benefits of neuroathletics and what training you can use to achieve them

The neuroathletics approach means that your training starts in the brain. The many benefits that neuroathletics exercises can have include:

Accelerated reaction time: Neuroathletic exercises teach your brain to send signals to your body faster than ever before.

Improved precision of your movements: Training your brain helps you reach a new level of accuracy in your movements, a real game-changer in sports.

Less risk of injury: By training your body control and coordination with the brain workout, you can avoid injuries.

Performance leap: Ready to reach and maybe even exceed your athletic goals? Neuroathletic methods can help you reach new levels.

Coping with Pain: Discover modern neuroathletic pain management techniques that train your brain to process pain differently.

Faster recovery phases: Your recovery time can also change through brain training and neuroathletic exercises – it will be shorter because you will recover faster.

A plus in quality of life: Brain athletics also offers advantages for other areas of life: It can improve your sleep, your concentration and how you deal with stressful situations.

And the best thing is: There are many different types of training to start with neuroathletics or to continually challenge your brain and literally practice new ways of thinking.

Proprioceptive training

Top athletes rely on this: One way to train your brain is to train your body awareness . With proprioceptive training (i.e. training your body awareness), you learn to know your own body better and control every movement with increased precision :

One-legged stand on unstable ground : Stand on a wobble board, a cushion or another unstable object. Hold the balance for 30 seconds on each leg.

Tiptoe walking or heel walking : Walk around the room on tiptoes or heels for 30 seconds. Make sure your core muscles are tense.

Yoga exercises : Many yoga exercises, such as the tree pose or the warrior pose, train proprioception.

If you want the perfect support for your exercises: Our Iso Drink provides you with minerals for your brain training, while our Energy Gums* provide you with practical, quickly available carbohydrates .

A group doing coordination training on a sports field.

Neuroathletics helps your brain help you in your sport.

coordination exercises

Another popular training method in brain athletics is the multiple concentration required, in which the focus is placed on several things at the same time: With these exercises you strengthen the interaction between your muscles and brain regions, for seamless body dynamics :

Ladder hopping : Hop forward and backward with both legs through a coordination ladder.

Juggling : Juggle three balls or other objects.

Dancing : Dance to your favorite music or learn a choreography. Make sure you coordinate your movements and move your body to the rhythm.

You'll probably want to test soon whether the exercises have had any effect. They will do so, especially with the right regeneration: Our Recovery Drink° provides you with valuable proteins and replenishes your glycogen stores with carbohydrates.

Cognitive tasks

In many sports such as tennis, football or athletics, reaction speed is an important key to success. With Neurosport you can train your mind - especially your concentration and speed in decision-making :

Reaction time training : Play an online reaction game or train with a reaction test device.

Concentration training : Try to concentrate on one thing for five minutes, such as your breathing or a candle.

Visualization : Imagine yourself successfully completing a particular task or exercise.

Mental training : Mental training and sports psychology offer many methods that can improve your mental abilities.

If you need a short break from training , Protein Crisp and Energy Bar* from Dextro Energy* offer everything you need. And we've also thought about the right fluid supply: try our Liquid Gel with drinkable carbohydrates.

Visual Training

Another approach of neurocentric exercises is training your eyes : This way you not only improve your visual acuity , but also the processing of visual information , for a clear view in every situation.

Eye movements : Make rapid eye movements up, down, left and right.

Focus switching : Fixate on one point for ten seconds and then another point for ten seconds. Repeat this several times.

Ball tracking : Follow a ball with your eyes as it moves.

Snapshot exercise : Look at a picture for five seconds and then try to remember as many details as possible.

Whether you're training physically or mentally, you can show your presence and performance best when you're well-cared for. Our Immun Fit°, for example, contains essential minerals, vitamins and trace elements, perfect for your immune system.

Vestibular Training

Balance is an important part of neuroathletic training. Similar to proprioceptive training, vestibular training is about the sense of balance . You can also train this by strengthening the sensitive balance system of your inner ear .

Head rotation : Turn your head slowly to the left and right. Repeat this several times.

Neck rolls : Slowly roll your neck forward and backward. Repeat this neuroathletic exercise

Trunk bends : Bend your trunk forwards and backwards. You can also try this standing on one leg and repeat several times.

Whether you're a footballer, Formula 1 driver or recreational athlete - so many athletes swear by neuroathletics training. If you want to see what exercises the pros are doing, take a look at social media . It's amazing to see how sharpened the senses of competitive athletes are - for example, when they demonstrate their almost superhuman reaction time . By the way, you can improve more than just your physical performance with neuroathletics: Many of the advantages also help you in everyday life and make you generally fitter . Just give it a try! And if you're looking for further inspiration on how you can literally "tune" your body and mind, take a look at our story about biohacking .

* contains carbohydrates

° for Recovery Drink: Proteins contribute to the increase and maintenance of muscle mass.

° for Immun Fit: Vitamin B6, B12, C, folic acid, zinc, selenium and iron each contribute to the normal functioning of the immune system.

A varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are important.

SOURCE:

https://luisewalther.de/neuroathletik

https://www.lienhard-neuroathletik.com/lars-lienhard

https://www.neuro-athletic-training-institute.com/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5392314/

https://www.physio-pedia.com/Proprioception

https://www.physio-pedia.com/Balance

https://www.lienhard-neuroathletik.com/