In this assignment I am going to explore two different areas of cognition; attention and response inhibition and their uses in sport, including some examples. Attention is the ability to concentrate on useful stimuli either intendedly or involuntarily. Response inhibition is the ability to stop an action. This essay also includes information about the brain areas connected to attention and response inhibition and a summary of tests that can be used to evaluate attention and response inhibition. Additionally, this essay includes case studies of athletes with cognitive problems affecting attention and response inhibition.
Attention in Sport
In sport, athletes should utilise their ability to focus or concentrate on their task or on the environment …show more content…
The brain areas associated with attention are the prefrontal cortex and the parietal lobe [5]. More specifically, wilful concentration is linked to the prefrontal cortex which is the frontmost part of the brain [5] and sudden attention is related to the area just behind the ears - the parietal lobe [5]. Scientists have discovered that those two areas have different speed of the rate that neurons emit pulses of electricity. The prefrontal cortex has neurons that emit electricity at a lower frequency, so the concentration is more intended and more thoughtful in the prefrontal cortex, causing wilful concentration [5]. This part of the brain is used when sport performers practice mental preparation techniques. Concentration controlled at the parietal lobe is different to wilful concentration because neurons emit electrical signals more quickly, so the attention associated with the parietal lobe is more automatic and can be activated abruptly, causing sudden attention [5]. This part is likely to be used in team games when a teammate unexpectedly passes you the …show more content…
Scientists measure attention so they can reach a better understanding of problems affecting attention such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) [6], autism and schizophrenia. This includes understanding attention in sportspeople and attention problems in athletes with ADHD including Michael Jordan and Terry Bradshaw. Some of the tests are described below.
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Attention in Sport
In sport, athletes should utilise their ability to focus or concentrate on their task or on the environment …show more content…
The brain areas associated with attention are the prefrontal cortex and the parietal lobe [5]. More specifically, wilful concentration is linked to the prefrontal cortex which is the frontmost part of the brain [5] and sudden attention is related to the area just behind the ears - the parietal lobe [5]. Scientists have discovered that those two areas have different speed of the rate that neurons emit pulses of electricity. The prefrontal cortex has neurons that emit electricity at a lower frequency, so the concentration is more intended and more thoughtful in the prefrontal cortex, causing wilful concentration [5]. This part of the brain is used when sport performers practice mental preparation techniques. Concentration controlled at the parietal lobe is different to wilful concentration because neurons emit electrical signals more quickly, so the attention associated with the parietal lobe is more automatic and can be activated abruptly, causing sudden attention [5]. This part is likely to be used in team games when a teammate unexpectedly passes you the …show more content…
Scientists measure attention so they can reach a better understanding of problems affecting attention such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) [6], autism and schizophrenia. This includes understanding attention in sportspeople and attention problems in athletes with ADHD including Michael Jordan and Terry Bradshaw. Some of the tests are described below.
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