Role of instinct in the athlete’s performance
In this article, we will look at the role of instinct in an athlete's performance.
In self-defense, what differentiates intuition from instinct?
Trusting your instinct or intuition in sports means listening to all your senses and being aware of your environment.
The human brain is divided into two hemispheres with different functions. The left hemisphere controls the right part of the body and is analytically oriented for language, calculations, writing, logic, reasoning, and intelligence. It is programmable and consolidated by our analytical education. The left hemisphere is also very attached to time, rules, and facts. In sum, with our left brain, we reason sequentially, analytically, point by point.
The right hemisphere controls the movements of the left part of the body. Its functions are unique because they are not sequential, such as visual perception, instinct, or intuition. This half of the brain also records everything that is non-verbal communication. The right hemisphere stores knowledge and processes holistic amounts of mass information.
Before we examine the role of instinct in an athlete's performance, let's see what instinct is.
What is instinct?
Instinct is the reptilian brain that allows us to make decisions about our survival. We often think of the survival instinct linked to emotions. Nature has given all animals the instinct for self-preservation. It is an "internal movement" natural to animals and which makes them act without the recourse of reflection to perform acts in accordance with their species and adapt to their needs. Each species has its own instinct.
However, instinct appeals a lot to emotion, and emotion can make decisions that are sometimes completely absurd. In this case, it can push humans to adopt behaviors that are inconsiderate or disproportionate to the situation.
Following your instincts in self-defense situations of great stress is useful. But you must be careful not to let yourself be overwhelmed by emotions that can interfere with rational thinking.
The prefrontal cortex and intuition
The prefrontal cortex is the most recent part of the brain in the evolution of the human species. Located in front of the brain, it is capable of assimilating considerable amounts of information, integrating it, and delivering an analysis in the form of a raw result, that is to say, in the form of intuition. It is in this region that the complex cognitive treatments operate which allow us to read, speak, reason, plan, forecast, memorize, and more.
This area of the brain has tremendous adaptive capacity as well as very significant analytical and logical reasoning force.
Why don't we trust intuition?
The main reason why we don't listen to it is that we can't explain it, and it largely appeals to the unconscious. The unconscious mind accounts for 90% of the activity of the human brain. Deepest memories, thoughts, and emotions are all stored there. In today's world of rational and logical reasoning, intuition has always been looked down upon. Seen and designated as an inexplicable feeling or sensation, impossible to prove through logic or scientific demonstration. It was considered unreliable and close to esotericism. However, intuition allows us to take advantage of this baggage by instinctively using reasoning by analogy. This powerful computer in our brain constantly processes data, eliminates what is incidental and allows humans to instantly draw the necessary conclusions.
Neuroscience, instinct, and intuition
For neuroscientists, intuition is a form of intelligence that everyone has. The rational part of our brain manages our learning, and the more emotional, relational, and adaptive part allows us to get out of repetitive logical constraints. Indeed, intuition would have to do with this ability to imagine predictable non-logical responses and solutions.
Trusting your intuition has no limits if you can differentiate it from desire. Intuition is the unconscious analysis of information and is beneficial for everyone as it can be developed and honed. It is like a compass that helps you shape your daily life according to your needs, desires, and athletic abilities. Undoubtedly linked to self-confidence, you must still trust yourself.
Conclusion - The Role of Instinct in Athlete Performance
The prefrontal cortex automatically assimilates multiple parameters and delivers a solution in the form of intuition or instinct. In self-defense, should you trust your instinct or intuition? Both are inseparable and play important roles.
Next read: https://mentalaccelerator.com/resource/purpose-vision/athletes-prioritize-your-resources