The Brain, Athletes, and Sports Performance
Presented by Adriaan Louw
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Advances in pain science have showcased the importance of the brain. Functionally, the brain undergoes changes during a pain experience whereby areas of the brain are tasked to process issues associated with pain versus their normal tasks. Structurally, the brain also undergoes changes during a pain experience, with cortical maps shifting, which is associated with persistent pain. Athletes are not immune to these functional and structural changes in the brain. In fact, it’s proposed that sports performance—the ultimate goal for an athlete—is significantly impacted when the brain experiences and processes pain. This course will showcase how the brains of athletes are impacted by pain and how this impact translates to sports performance. Additionally, neuroscience strategies are shown that may be of great benefit to clinicians treating athletes experiencing pain. This course applies to clinicians treating athletes of all kinds or treating any patients experiencing orthopedic injuries and pain.
Meet your instructor
Adriaan Louw
Adriaan earned his undergraduate degree, master’s degree, and PhD in physiotherapy from Stellenbosch University in Cape Town, South Africa. He is an adjunct faculty member at St. Ambrose University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, teaching pain science. Adriaan has taught throughout the US and internationally for 25…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Neuroplasticity, Pain, and Athletic Considerations
The human body is represented in cortical maps in the human brain. During a pain experience, there is a structural change to these maps, which contributes to a pain experience. Strategies aimed at normalizing these maps, such as laterality training and mirror therapy, may be helpful for athletes experiencing pain and disability.
2. The Brain and Sports Performance: Part 1
Sports performance starts and ends with the brain. The brain ultimately governs bodily systems to allow for optimal performance. To perform optimally, athletes need their brains to perform optimally. Visual illusions showcase how the brain processes information.
3. The Brain and Sports Performance: Part 2
Sports performance is dependent on the brain allowing for optimal functioning. Conditions such as multitasking, decreased sleep, fatigue, etc., powerfully impact the brain and its ability to facilitate optimal performance.
More courses in this series
The Biopsychosocial Approach in Athletes Experiencing Pain
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The Brain, Athletes, and Sports Performance
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Orthopedic Surgery, Pain, and Disability
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Preoperative Pain Neuroscience Education for Lumbar Surgery
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Preoperative Pain Neuroscience Education for Knees and Shoulders
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