Training Lessons Learned from Peak Performance Episodes

Abstract

An examination of episodes of peak performance indicates that three cognitive components enable these episodes: psychological readiness (activating optimal arousal and emotion appropriate for the task), information processing (attending to and interpreting key stimuli), and endurance management (controlling fatigue and pain for sustained performance). There is also evidence suggesting that endorphins underlie these three processes. Accordingly, performance can be enhanced through two strategies; one technique is teaching self-regulation of endorphins levels. The other more immediately available solution is to use contemporary sports psychology training techniques to optimize cognitive processes underlying superior performance. With either strategy, optimal performance will result from an enhanced ability to cope specifically and continuously tailored to meet the conditions and demands of a particular activity.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1986
Accession Number
ADA174186

Entities

People

  • James L. Fobes

Organizations

  • U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Biological Sciences
  • Brain
  • Central Nervous System
  • Cognition
  • Information Processing
  • Lessons Learned
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Research
  • Nervous System
  • Neurobehavioral Manifestations
  • Neurosciences
  • New York
  • Peptides
  • Psychology
  • Psychophysiology
  • Psychotherapy
  • Risk

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Brain and Cognitive Science; Experimental Psychology; Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Distributed Systems and Data Platform Development
  • Psychological Intervention/Treatment for Stress, Anxiety, PTSD, and Related Emotional and Cognitive Health Symptoms.