Among the most fascinating aspects of being human is our unique ability to develop new skills while also honing and enhancing those we already possess. With practice, most people can learn to do something new – play a musical instrument or sport, or develop an artistic ability, for example. However, not everyone who becomes "able" to perform a new skill will host a “MasterClass” about it. While almost every animal, through biological hardwiring, develops the skills necessary for its species to survive, humans can create a much broader and more diverse set of talents and abilities.
‘We’re talking about practice?’
While NBA great Allen Iverson once famously said, “we’re talking about practice?” The historically widespread view of "mastery" for any skill, at any level, has been that it is all driven by – you guessed it – practice, practice, and practice. But accumulating evidence in neurology and neuroscience is shifting that view and demonstrating that physical training alone isn't enough to become a "master." We see this evidence in plenty of today’s top professional athletes. Whether it's future NFL Hall of Fame QB Tom Brady, who follows a rigorous diet and training schedule 24/7/365 to win that next Super Bowl, or NBA great LeBron James, who reportedly prioritizes 12 hours of sleep each night so both his mind and body can continue to perform at the 'highest level' – neither of these approaches has to do with practice.
As a sports neurologist, I am not surprised by the above two examples. Having had the pleasure of working with professional athletes for much of my career, I know much more goes into becoming a "great" than just practice. And I am a staunch believer that your brain can make you better – at anything.
Yes, even race car driving.
The high-performance and moto sports market in the United States is enormous. Contrary to what many believe, this subset of the auto racing market includes more than just professional NASCAR and Formula 1 drivers. More than ever, one can find a test or amateur track that allows high-performance and luxury car owners to race among other enthusiasts in their class. The high-performance car market is projected to grow significantly through 2026.
Some of the attributes associated with performance automotive and moto enthusiasts are identical to those of professional athletes – they value performance, seek competitive advantage, and are highly motivated to perform well.
It’s all about that B-ASE
I believe this population of racing enthusiasts deserves a training program that is as unique as they are and that operates from the overarching premise of my entire practice – your brain can make you better. Your performance isn't limited to your machine (vehicle) alone. The human nervous system may be the MOST critical contributor to elite racing performance, which is why I am proud to share with you the development of my new Neurologic Peak Performance Program we call: B-ASE.
B. – Brain training for:
A. - Accuracy
S. - Speed
E. - Endurance
The concepts of Neuroplasticity and Neuromodulation apply to the specialized racing population. The brain and the nervous system can change (neuroplasticity). As mentioned in the very first paragraph of this article, you're not "stuck with what you've got." Assessing and training drivers' brains can boost their performance as the brain and nervous system change in response to specific stimulation and training (neuromodulation). There are particular brain functions necessary for motorsports racers that respond well to this type of dedicated training:
- Vision
- Speed of mental processing
- Reaction Time
- Focus
- Concentration
- Attention
- Memory
- Balance
- Body/Kinesthetic Awareness
- Pattern Recognition Awareness
- Cognitive Endurance
- Stress/Adrenaline Management
The B-ASE approach focuses on three levels of training for the high-performance automotive and motorsports enthusiast:
Level 1: On-site exposure/education
Level 2: Personalized Assessment and Curated Office and Home-Based Training
Level 3: Self-Directed Training and Remote Monitoring
As a self-professed racing enthusiast, I am excited to help these uniquely talented moto racers focus on the benefits of brain training to become even better at their sport's accuracy, speed, and endurance. So let’s rev up our engines and our brains and I'll race you to the finish line.
Sources:
https://www.technavio.com/report/high-performance-car-market-industry-analysis
B-ASE Program | Los Angeles Sports Neurology (vernonwilliamsmd.com)