Psycho-social genomics and Sport
24 Jan 2024 - Sport
A new frontier for the amateur and high-level athlete For several years, approaches to the study of new methodologies, research and experiments have no longer taken place in a sectoral manner, but an interdisciplinary study is increasingly being sought. Think of the steps forward that pedagogy has made with the introduction of psychology and in particular neuroscience to understand the teaching-learning processes. From the search for interdisciplinarity in scientific research, over the last twenty years we have witnessed the birth of new lines of research, of new subjects of study.
A new science that we aim to take from the complex world of psychotherapy and transpose it into that of sport and its mental preparation is psychosocial genomics, the result of the dialogue between medicine, biology and neuroscience, indicated for the treatment of psychological disorders (stress, addictions, attacks of panic…), medical diseases (pain, immune system, neurodegenerative, psychosomatic diseases…) and for personal and professional empowerment by improving resilience and creativity, facilitating decision making, learning and memory processes, a good integration between conscious and unconscious and neuronal plasticity. Through this new science we aim to show a valid alternative to the classic relaxation techniques seen previously, which require good preparation and experience to be able to apply them. With this new method developed directly by Doctor Cozzolino, applied in the psychotherapeutic field, called “Brain wave modulation” it is possible that the athlete can reach the optimal frequency to enter the Flow immediately without particular experience in terms of meditation and relaxation .
According to Cozzolino and Celia (2016) the position of the fingers has the ability to automatically change the physiological part of the mind-body structure through the activation of the parasympathetic system and a shift of the dominant cerebral hemisphere. Subsequently, there is a decrease in pulse and breathing and consequent muscle relaxation. Through this technique, our normal mental operations carried out by the dominant left hemisphere and characterized by an activation of the sympathetic system, are synchronized on the dominant right hemisphere and the equivalent activation of the parasympathetic system. The ability to change the mind-body structure affects the activity of brain waves. Paul Mracek states that communication between the two hemispheres is another important condition for the state of Flow. In martial arts, the connection of the two hemispheres is implemented by the symmetrical movement of the techniques which give life to the perfect meeting between technical performance and creative performance.
Cozzolino continues by stating that the brain emits Beta waves in its normal daily activity and this technique, already in the first phase, spontaneously pushes the brain to emit slow Alpha waves and in the second even slower phase, which as we know increase creativity and the ability to problem solving, up to reviewing the Theta waves in the third phase, reaching the Delta in the fourth phase.
These waves correspond to those we need to reach the state of Flow. The effect of ten minutes of this technique corresponds to the benefits of one hour of sleep. All the meditation techniques that we know today are based on oriental meditation through the use of the position of the body and fingers as we know well in Yoga, which, merged with neuroscience have given life to this technique which automatically brings brain waves into the their natural structure.
It is not easy to follow a path of relaxation, and therefore visualization, until we are completely open mentally and are able to empty our mind. Tomio Hirai in his study states that concentration in the true sense of the word is concentration without tension, but difficult for a person who is not used to carrying out certain exercises, to reach that level of concentration, which is why Cozzolino develops this technique and goes against the grain, if we can say so. In fact, he states: “…Another obstacle we can find is that people think they are forced to empty their mind on purpose and fail to do so thinking that they are not able to apply this technique thus not discovering its true strength. To resolve this problem, I do not suggest emptying the mind as usually happens in other procedures (meditation, autogenic training, etc…), but directing attention to the body and its signals…”. Cozzolino continues by advising to follow these signs and see where they lead. They could take us to other areas of the body or change in shape or intensity, what matters is listening to our body.
To better understand the technique, we illustrate its practical application below.
- Practical application
Find a quiet place where you know you won’t be disturbed, where there is no noise, ringing phones and so on. Sit in a chair and place your hands on your legs. Close your eyes.
First phase
Touch the end of your little finger to the end of your thumb.
Second phase
Touch the end of your ring finger with the end of your thumb.
Third phase
Touch the end of your middle finger to the end of your thumb.
Fourth phase
Touch the end of your middle finger and ring finger to the end of your thumb.
All steps must be performed with both hands and simultaneously.
It is important that the ends of the fingers touch each other perfectly.
The duration of contact between the fingers varies from person to person.
The subject will spontaneously feel the need to move on to the next phase.
The pressure should be as natural as possible
Personally I have found this technique very useful in my sporting journey. Unlike other techniques, after understanding it well, in a quiet place, sure of not being disturbed, I was able to apply it even in various situations. Autogenic training or Jacobson relaxation are very useful and certainly to be done daily for all mental training. As mentioned in the previous chapters, you must be careful not to carry them out immediately before a race and pay attention to their intensity, as they could lower the athlete’s state of arousal too much. Dr. Cozzolino’s technique, however, from the point of view of emotional and regenerative-restorative control, allowed me to use it at any time of the day, giving me a feeling of calm and energy even during intense training, a competition and immediately before a throw allowing me to perform above my usual sporting performance. My Peak Performance.