adidas unveils its initiative to address the negative impact of pressure in sports, aiming to help athletes at all levels understand and manage pressure for optimal performance. Through neuroscience and insights from elite athletes, adidas provides practical techniques and guidance to unlock athletes' true potential.
Understanding and Managing Pressure in Sports
( Credit to: News )
adidas has unveiled a new initiative to address the negative impact of pressure in sports. The company aims to work with both elite and grassroots athletes to understand and manage the effects of pressure on performance. By using neuroscience to explore how top athletes handle pressure, adidas hopes to help everyday athletes overcome this challenge and achieve their full potential in sports.
In a comprehensive study conducted by adidas, it was discovered that athletes at all levels experience intense pressure during high-stakes moments. Surprisingly, grassroots athletes and elite athletes were found to experience similar levels of pressure, but the elite athletes were up to 40% more effective at managing it. To bridge this gap, adidas has partnered with neuroscientists from neuro11 to understand how negative pressure affects performance and provide guidance on how athletes can disarm this feeling.
Insights from Elite Athletes: Handling Pressure with Ease
To gain insight into the impact of pressure on athletes, adidas and neuro11 studied the brain activity of elite and grassroots athletes during high-pressure situations such as penalty shootouts, crucial putts, and must-make free throws. The findings revealed that elite athletes were better prepared to handle pressure and reach the optimal zone, where the brain is relaxed but focused, leading to peak performance. The study also highlighted specific techniques that grassroots athletes can employ to better manage pressure.
One of the elite athletes involved in the study was Emiliano MartÃnez, the FIFA World Cup 2022 winner. During penalty shootouts, MartÃnez demonstrated exceptional mental ability, as he was 90% more likely to reach the optimal zone compared to the grassroots goalkeeper. His ability to maintain focus and ignore distractions allowed him to harness pressure and perform at his best.
Nneka Ogwumike, an eight-time WNBA All-Star, showcased the importance of having a consistent pre-shot routine. By executing her routine, Ogwumike was able to reach the optimal zone 52% more often than the grassroots basketball player. This routine helped her shut out external distractions and focus her mind, enabling her to work effectively under pressure.
In the golf putting tests, Ludvig Ã…berg, the Ryder Cup 2023 champion, and a grassroots golfer faced different levels of pressure depending on the distance from the hole. Ã…berg performed better on long-distance putts, reaching the optimal zone 71% more often than the grassroots golfer. However, the grassroots golfer struggled with closer putts, falling into the 'too high' brain zone 42% more often. These findings emphasize the importance of maintaining focus and managing pressure consistently in different situations.
Unlocking Potential: Practical Techniques for Athletes
To help athletes at all levels disarm pressure in sports, adidas is releasing a range of athlete stories, expert insights, and neuroscience-based guidance materials. These resources provide practical techniques and insider tips to access the optimal zone in various sports. Whether it's striking a penalty, regaining focus before a free throw, or managing dwell time in golf putting, athletes can enhance their mental focus during pressured moments.
Florian Alt, VP Global Brand Comms at adidas, emphasized the importance of understanding the impact of pressure on performance. He stated that adidas aims to inspire the next generation of athletes to overcome pressure and fully enjoy sports. Through a series of star-studded content and activations, adidas will showcase how sporting icons handle pressure in high-stakes moments, encouraging everyday athletes to do the same.
Empowering Athletes: Showcasing Icons and Providing Guidance
The global brand campaign will feature a series of episodic fly-on-the-wall-style videos, which will be available on adidas' Instagram and YouTube channels. Additionally, how-to-guides for each sport will be downloadable, providing athletes with practical tools to manage pressure. The campaign's message to the next generation of athletes is to believe in their ability to overcome pressure and achieve their full potential in sports.
In conclusion, adidas is committed to helping athletes understand and manage pressure in sports. By partnering with neuroscientists and studying the brain activity of elite and grassroots athletes, adidas aims to bridge the gap in pressure management. Through athlete stories, expert insights, and practical guidance, adidas hopes to empower athletes at all levels to disarm pressure and unlock their true potential in sports.