The Social Neurobiology of Excellence
Briefly

The article discusses the complexities of decision-making in high-pressure sports scenarios, focusing on Chuck Aoki's performance during the Paralympic Games. It emphasizes the need for athletes to access higher order thinking, which is often compromised in fight-or-flight states, essential for making tactical decisions. Despite the intense pressure, Aoki's composed execution showcases how trust, eye gaze, and vocal tone among teammates can facilitate superior performance. The balance between sympathetic activation for survival and maintaining critical thought processes is crucial for success in tactical sports.
Chuck Aoki's movements during the Paralympic Games exemplify high-level skill, where mental clarity enables strategic decision-making even in the midst of a challenge.
Sympathetic activation, while crucial for peak performance under pressure, can inhibit creative thinking necessary in tactical sports, exemplifying the balance athletes must achieve.
Read at Psychology Today
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