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Brain Endurance Training (BET) combines physical and mental training to simultaneously improve physical endurance and mental resilience in athletes.
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Studies show that BET increases speed, responsiveness and accuracy compared with traditional training, improving both cognitive and physical athletic performance.
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BET helps athletes better manage stress and mental fatigue, supporting performance under pressure.
There are numerous methods and approaches regarding the best training strategy, and the field is constantly evolving. Recently, more attention has been given to the connection between physical performance and mental training. A recent study highlighted a highly effective new approach: Brain Endurance Training (BET).
What is BET?
BET is an innovative approach that combines physical training and mentally strenuous tasks to simultaneously improve athletes’ mental resilience and physical endurance. Researchers suggest that a structured training plan that mixes both elements can produce more significant results than traditional physical training.
The research
According to a recent study, cognitive endurance training improved physical, cognitive and multitasking performance in professional soccer players. Twenty-two soccer players were randomly assigned to a BET protocol or a control group that would follow a traditional training plan. All players completed 40 physical training sessions over four weeks. The BET group completed additional cognitive exercises after each session, while the other observation group was engaged in listening to neutral sounds. Final tests showed that the BET group performed better, showing greater speed, responsiveness to stimuli and accuracy in psychomotor vigilance tests. The data suggested that the BET protocol was more effective than physical training alone in enhancing both cognitive and physical skills in athletes.
What are the effects on sports performance?
The BET approach is based on the principle that mental fatigue can affect physical performance and decision making. BET trains the brain to handle psychological stress and mental fatigue, improving endurance in competitions. Key benefits include:
- Improved cognitive function;
- Increased mental resilience;
- Enhanced decision-making under stress;
- Better performance under pressure;
- Greater adaptability to manage stress.
Incorporating BET into training plans offers multiple advantages and benefits to athletes, enabling them to achieve optimal physical fitness and mental sharpness. Methodologies such as BET can set the tone for setting a new standard in sports training, once again highlighting the importance of mental training in reaching peak performance.