Why Does Exercising the Brain Help Athletes?

When it comes to getting athletes into shape, the overwhelming focus is on training the body. After all, an athlete’s first tool in success is their physical readiness and fitness. Usually, this involves a balanced routine that focuses on conditioning, skill development, practice, and even things like diet and sleep. 

In other words, the more an athlete knows their body and grooms it, the better their chances are on the field. Whether playing solo or competing on a team, their level of energy and strength have a direct influence on the game’s outcome. 

But that doesn’t mean the mind isn’t also an important factor. Even the brain must be ‘trained’ to perform at its highest level during fast-moving games. First and foremost, the brain must be healthy—which is usually where that well-balanced diet and plenty of sleep come in handy. 

That’s not all, though. Athletes who also develop their thinking skills and intellect will also have a leg up on the competition. While we know that food and sleep make the brain physically strong (as an organ), developing the mind can also have seriously positive impacts on an athlete’s game readiness. 

Here’s why.

Adaptability

Let’s start off with one of the most abstract skills: adaptability. One of the most important skills athletes can develop intellectually is their adaptability, which lets them react appropriately to whatever happens next in a game. 

Let’s draw a parallel between professional poker. Just like athletes, professional players must develop their ability to be adaptable. Like a sports game, poker can move quickly, and a bad beat can throw players off their game. The more they can deal with downswing, the better they’re able to bounce back. The same is true for athletes across any sport.

Fast Decision-Making

Athletes must make decisions at lightning speed—which puts an even greater strain on the brain. But did you know that you can actually train your mind to react faster? Just look at the world of F1 driving. Racers regularly train their reaction times—which is partly thanks to an agile brain. 

That’s because F1 drivers, compared to any other sport, must make decisions very quickly without sacrificing precision. The more powerful the brain, the easier that task is. Usually, these types of skills are developed through physical workouts and mental exercises that trainers create.

Accurate Thinking

Fast decision-making is only helpful if the decisions being made are accurate. In other words, athletes should be able to observe the field keenly. Usually, this is chalked up to an athlete’s ‘instinct’. Some simply have an eye and a feel for the game that others don’t. 

But that doesn’t mean that can’t be developed. Once again, the brain must be exercised, too. Let’s use the example of football. Players must memorize dozens of plays in the preseason, which can be taxing. But those who go above and beyond in their studying won’t just be able to think quickly during a live game—their brains will also think accurately, even when tired and stressed.

Teamwork & Communication

Usually, a player’s ability to work with others and communicate well comes down to a sense of social skills. Some athletes are naturally chatty, while others might need a bit of encouragement to work closely with teammates. What’s most important, however, is the athlete’s ability to ‘read the field’. 

In other words, an athlete with a stronger intellect will be able to understand the important message of what’s being communicated from others, and then understand how that impacts their role on the field. There’s an element of critical thinking at play in which the athlete will deduce what’s most important. 

This actually involves the other skills mentioned above. An athlete who is adaptable will communicate quickly and without missing any cues. On top of that, they’ll be able to turn that quick message into actionable changes in their play. Here, it’s easier to see how intellect connects a variety of important skills that athletes must embody.