Sports: Pscyhology-Self-Talk

Various types of motivational techniques effect sports performance.  For example, self talk produces differing results depending on the sporting activity being performed.  Sports requiring "fine motor skills" benefit more from self-talk involving instructional self-talk.  Whereas strength and endurance based sports benefit more from simple motivational self-talk.  However, in general, self-talk provides the most benefit for sports (like pool) requiring concentration.

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60 Second Minute - Scientific American

Sports: Nutrition: Maca for Sports

Maca is a root vegetable cultivated in the Andes region of South America.  The powder form of Maca can be added to drinks and smoothies. It is used for several medicinal purposes; however, athletes can also use it as a supplement to increase energy output. 

Sports: Training: More Research That Tends to Back Up Gladwell's Points in Outliers

A recent article on CNN.com about how Cuba cultivates its young athletes tends to support many of the points Malcolm Gladwell presented in his book Outliers. 

"He believes Cuba's advantage comes from the government's ability to identify and cultivate emerging talent at a young age.'We can say with total certainty that in the farthest corner of Cuba if there's a talented boxer we know about him and are following his progress,' he said. 'So that maybe one day he might join our national team.."

"While the facilities are threadbare, the instruction they receive is world class. Vinent said most of the children at the Trejo are boxing as an after-school activity. They will pick up the basics of boxing and confidence while never achieving greatness in the ring. Vinent is looking for young fighters with drive and something to prove. Because there among the gangly youths bobbing and weaving in his classes, Vinent said, could very well be Cuba's next champion of the ring."

The article supports the idea that (although some attributes may be innate) much of what we consider to be innate talent is actually skills that have been cultivated and nurtured over long periods of time.  

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CNN.com

Sports: Psychology: Quotes-Preparing for the Mundials

What does it take to train for the Mundials

"...[C]onditioning six times a week and he’s constantly on the mats, drilling, sparring, studying techniques, watching videos, and recording his own training and studying it. 'I give it everything I have,' he says. 'When I’m at a competition, I don’t have to question if I’m ready or if I gave enough. I always give my all. It’s do or die. It’s the best day of my life or the worst every time. It’s all about learning and improving. You can’t win all the time, especially with as much as I put myself out there. I compete at every tournament. This is going to be my 13th Worlds. I’ve only missed one since I was 15.'"

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Rafael Lovato Jr., Gracie Magazine 

Sports: Quotes: Gui Mendes on the Moment

..."always when you fight, you need to enjoy the moment.  Doesn't matter if you win or if you lose; you need to enjoy.  If you win and you celebrate...leave the podium you need to forget everything.  If you lose, if you win, you need to keep your mind...on the next tournament.  ...I always forget the last tournament...."

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Gui Mendes

Sports: Mobility:Myofascial Release-Increase Your Range of Motion with a Foam Roller

If you want to increase your range of motion for a particular area of the body, try using a foam roller.  Use the foam roller in the desired area prior to engaging in the activity. 

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Ben Greenfield Podcast

Sports: Conditioning - Can't Quit Running

If you can't quit running, perhaps this is why.  Endurance athletes freely admit being addicted to working out.  Scientific research has suggested, "that rhythmic continuous aerobic exercise can produce narcotic like chemicals in the body."  Additionally, recent research suggests that those same chemicals may have encouraged humans to evolve into long distance runners.  So, not only do our minds crave the runner's high, but our bodies may also encourage it. 

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NPR Topics: Your Health