Peak Performance Training:success in the academic zone

Sequence of topics today

1. Peak Performance Training

2. Peak Performance Zone

3. Neurofeedback

4. The brain deconstructed

5. Brainwaves

6. Conclusion

peak performance training

Traditional Performance Psychology Tools:Relaxation, Goal Setting, Visualization & Imagery, Self-Talk. You know the drill. Lecture. Listen. La-La Land.

Questions we could be asking:• Can we “design” new training protocols for the brain?• Can we “bypass” old, aroused brain circuits; and

“install” new circuits?• Can we “entrain” elements of a peak performance

state, and live in the zone?• Can we “hardwire” new performance routines that

redefines peak performance training?

What does “Peak Performance Training”mean in the context of the brain & mind?

• Training the Attention Network to sustain focused attention

• Training Focus and Alertness to meet heavy demand

• Training to keep Focus up while keeping Arousal/Stress down

• Finding the best Focus/Arousal/Attention balance for specific tasks

• Identifying individual brain “likes” that are optimal for specific tasks

• Performing these “likes” consciously despite environmentalstressors, noise and distractions.

• LearningLearningLearningLearning totototo recogniserecogniserecogniserecognise youryouryouryour PeakPeakPeakPeak PerformancePerformancePerformancePerformance ZoneZoneZoneZone

PPT via Mental Toughness – Commitment, Confidence, Composure, Consistency & Concentration

Brain & Mind Self Awareness Check List(T = True, F = False, S = Sometimes)

1. I am usually eager to perform.

2. I am free of anger, anxiety and stress when I face new challenges at work.

3. My pre-performance stress is a problem.

4. My moods are too affected by my competitiveness and need to excel.

5. I get enough sleep.

6. My studies and life are in balance.

7. My ability to concentrate and recall over extended periods is generally good.

8. I am happy improving my academic performance one day at a time.

(Each “True” answer scores 1 point. Scores of 6 or lower indicates you are probably not able to enter your PP zone)6

peak performance zone

Achieving academic success…

• Great academic results occur when a student’sperformance is high enough, within the student’sperformance range.

• Being at the top of your range, in the zone should bethe goal in training for peak performance.

• Academic success is a side effect of peak performancewithin your range.

• Increasing the “top of your range zone” happens overtime as you continue peak performance training

The Peak Performance Zone• The “Zone” involves a mental state, which includes motivation, attention, focus, centeredness,energized relaxation, and awareness. These are trained and balanced throughneurofeedback

• Additional necessary factors include physical and mental health, appropriate rest, nutrition,relaxation, and freedom from distress

• Neurofeedback helps you to recognise when you are in the “Zone”

• Once the “Zone” is experienced you won’t forget it. Knowledge of it assists inorganising yourself towards getting back into it

• Think of the “Zone” as a balanced mid-point of extremes. On one extreme is very lowactivation such as during sleepy-relaxation with low motivation, which leads to minimalperformance. On the other extreme is extreme arousal, such as during excessive driveand stress, which impairs performance. Finding your balance point leads to the “Zone”

• The “Zone” is an activated, prepared, fully focused state of relaxed, energised,motivated consciousness, in which all other interfering issues disappear.

neurofeedback

Background: Neurofeedback and what it does• Two Components:

• methodology of operant conditioning which changes one’s emotional and mind states and improves performance, and the ability to get “into the zone”

• equipment that monitors and measures the electrical activity ofthe brain and trains the brain to be readily available to life’srequirements

Why Neurofeedback Works(Operant Conditioning)

• Brain can change with assistance directed byrewards: light, movement, and sound

• Brain assists in finding best/better approach usingthe newly built brain pathways

• Brain will remain in new state as it “feels better”

• Brain is continually used, maintaining “new skill”

“Hey, this is like I am disk-cleaning & defragmenting

my brain”

THENNeurofeedback up to 5 years ago

NOW

the brain deconstructed

Why the

technology

works…the

brain is

accurately

mapped!

THE potential

CEO of the BRAIN…

The Frontal Lobe• makes choices & decisions

• focuses & maintains attention

on-task

• controls emotions & impulses

• maintains purpose

Are you connected to you brain?

Are you THE CEO of it?

Real Time Brainwave Acquisition

Real Time Brainwave Acquisition

Signal Cleaning and Processing(Artifacts)

Signal Cleaning and Processing(Artifacts)

Specific target extraction (Software/Hardware)

Specific target extraction (Software/Hardware)

Brainwave Decoding based on Training Protocol

Frequencies

Brainwave Decoding based on Training Protocol

Frequencies

Real Time Feedback

(≤45 ms) (+ve & -ve

(Entraining & Reinforcement

of Hebb Synapse)

Real Time Feedback

(≤45 ms) (+ve & -ve

(Entraining & Reinforcement

of Hebb Synapse)

The

Neurofeedback

process

brainwaves

BEFORE, Brain Output - Unstable

Alpha – Stressed and Unfocused

Beta – Erratic Attention and Stressed

High Beta – Excited, Irritable & Stressed

High Beta – Patient and powerful support

for High Order Thinking

Alpha – Relaxed and Focused Creativity

Beta – Calm, Active problem solving

AFTER, Brain Output – Stable

Before & After

Peak Performance

Training

Activities that correspond to various brainwave states(should you choose not to train with neurofeedback):

• Delta: get some deep, uninterrupted sleep• Theta: sustain the period before falling asleep• Alpha: deep breathing (Yoga), connect to your body (Yoga again)• SMR: play an individual sport such as squash, badminton• Low Beta: read a non-fiction book (Economist) attentively (speed-

read eye-movements), juggle• High Beta: hike in the dark…note your response to sudden

unknown sounds! Make yourself panic, obsess, get furious• Gamma: do puzzles, play mazes, memory games

conclusion

What are the implications for Academic Brain Peak Performance Training?

• Less study time with better grades• Enhanced memory for names, numbers and places• Quicker thought speeds and memory recall• Improved writing ability and greater creativity• Better communication of thoughts and ideas• Greater skill at chess, problem solving and brain puzzles• Improved social skills and humour

OPTIMISE POTENTIALS, PEAK PERFORMANCE!

Organisations & Individuals using Neurofeedback for Peak Performance Training…

• 78% of Fortune 500 companies• NASA astronaut training center• Football clubs AC Milan, Real Madrid, Chelsea• London’s Royal College of Music• United States Olympic Training Center• All Formula 1 teams• Singapore Olympic Sports Council• US Special Forces and Navy Seals training• Wingate Institute of Sports & Physical Education, Israel• Australian Special Forces• West Point Military Academy (Academic & Military)

Expected outcomes:• better academic performance

• longer & efficient attention,

concentration & problem solving abilities

• faster understanding, memory & recall

Our expertise & offerings:• real time, on-task diagnostics

• fit-to-task, peak performance training

• eeg/brain performance based evaluation