Neurosports
What is Neurosports?
Neurosports, also known as sports neuroscience, is the interdisciplinary field focused on understanding the neural mechanisms of physical and cognitive performance and its role in enhancing athletic training, recovery, and performance of all ages through the components of neuroscience, exercise science, technology, and sports psychology. The field of neurosports looks to explore questions such as “How does physical fitness relate to changes in brain structure/function?”; “Can participation in sports affect our auditory processing?” and “Can neural signals help understand the burnout of athletes?” Neurosports employs a range of research methods, namely fMRI, EEG, cognitive psychology, neurofeedback, and motor imagery, to investigate these questions. Through the understanding of these processes, practitioners design training programs that progress motor learning, injury reduction, reaction time, and other cognitive tasks. For example, reaction-based drills, neurofeedback, and other techniques are used to improve athletic performance. Through the concert of physical fitness, neuroscience, and sports, this field aims to supply an extensive understanding of how physical/mental wellbeing, fitness, and neural connections optimize all levels of athletic performance and recovery, brain health, and motor learning.*
Neurofeedback has become an area of interest for professionals in athletic performance; there is continued work on its use in improving athletic results and other related areas of research.
Videos
Follow Dr. Lindsay Shaw during her time as a senior sport psychophysiologist for the U.S Olympic and Paralympic Committee and help athletes explore the brain’s relationship to their performance.
Listen to Kirk Cousins speak about the importance of neurofeedback training and its results in his routine as an NFL quarterback.
Careers
Career pathways available in neurosports come in a variety of titles. In the present, some professionals hold roles from sports neuroscience researchers, neuroperformance coaches, sports neurologists, and sports neuropsychologists.
In academics and research, professionals such as sports neuroscientists and movement neuroscientists investigate the brain and the nervous system in areas such as recovery, motor control, cognition-based tasks, and other skill learning in athletes. These professionals look to achieve their goals through neuroimaging methods, data analysis, and other research and experimental methods. Many academic researchers hold PhDs in relevant fields, such as exercise science/physiology, psychology, or cognitive neuroscience.
In practice, neurosports extends to professionals in clinical and other application approaches. Sports neuropsychologists focus on assessing and treating brain-related issues such as concussion, cognitive performance, etc, through cognitive assessments and other protocols. Neurotechnology developers with a sports focus design and test wearable materials, like neurofeedback tools, that measure or affect brain performance in athletes.
Education
Most related careers in neuroscience and sports require an advanced degree, such as an MA/MSc, or a PhD/PsyD. However, as an emerging field, there are currently no“direct” undergraduate or graduate programs under this name. There are several academic paths for those interested in gaining knowledge and training in this field. For those interested in neurosports and want to build a foundation in undergraduate studies, one may want to pursue neuroscience, kinesiology, cognitive science, and exercise and sport science. At the graduate level, there are options for Master’s or Doctoral training in cognitive neuroscience, human performance, sports science, and movement science.
Resources
Journal of the Society for NeuroSports
The Journal of the Society for NeuroSports (JSNS) is an open-access, peer-reviewed scholarly journal. The Journal accepts manuscripts that address both neuroscience and exercise science.
Society for Sports Neuroscience
The Society for Sports Neuroscience (SNS) is an academic society of scientists and practitioners in the fields of exercise science and neuroscience with an interest in furthering research-based athletic performance and brain health. With the aim of increasing the effectiveness and potential of interdisciplinary discussions in this society to reach greater levels of performance.
Michigan Performance Research Laboratory
The Michigan Performance Research Laboratory is designed to facilitate analysis of human biomechanics, cardiorespiratory physiology, and neuromuscular control during dynamic activity utilizing the most current technology. They work with clinical, research, and industry partners to develop cross-disciplinary approaches to challenges in athletic performance, health and wellness, and sport technology.
Applied Neuromechanics Research Laboratory (ANRL)
The focus of the ANRL at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro is to understand risk factors for lower extremity injury and joint disease. The ANRL fosters a collaborative environment to support both faculty and student-initiated activities that strive to reduce lower extremity injury risk and improve the health and performance of physically active individuals of all ages. The mission of the ANRL is to promote clinically driven research and quality education that bridges scientific inquiry and clinical practice.
Exercise and Sport Science Laboratory
The Exercise and Sport Science Laboratory at Nova Southeastern University has a primary focus in analyzing the human potential in athletes and other exercisers alike. This lab conducts research in preparation for clinical assessments and faculty and students conducting applied sport science research or community service projects.