Brain Training 101: College- Like Preparation to “Train up” Mental Skills

1. Brain Training 101: College- Like Preparation to“Train up” Mental Skills With Wes Sime, Phd / MPH / PhD University of Nebraska, Health and Human Performance (Emeritus)

2. The Brain is inherently lazy. We all have a tendency to “space off” in default mode. Difficult to pay attention without threat or inspirational demands. The goal is to create exciting and demanding expectations mentally

3. The Brain has a constant stream of random thoughts passing through if undirected. The goal each day should be to create new, exciting & meaningful endeavors in mental performance. Expand your capacity for intense focus, concentration &stamina

4. Fortunately Both the Brain and the Body Respond well to Discipline & Rigorous Training BUT…….. If you don’t use It –You will lose ItThe brain will atrophy just like the body loses strength and stamina when in space without the challenge of gravitation pull.

6. Your brain has likely served you very well in learning and remembering essential information, until you retired.  But research shows you must continue to engage in all the activities, brain & body that Dick mentioned earlier.

7. Soooo. How Do YOU Keep your attention and focus sharp with activity. Especially for “US” Older Adults Daily Activity at intense level (60-80 % of max, 30-60’), but most are not able to do this effort

8. Soooo. Dick asked me to talk about specific best exercise and how to get stated. Let’s talk about exercise principles…………….

9. Exercise Prescription for Physical Fitness Parallels Optimal Brain Training Especially for Older Adults Daily Activity at a moderate level (Suduko, Cross Word Puzzles) over longer time periods

12. When Rhythm, Timing Pace & Poise Are “Deficient” – No one Can Perform Well Especially notable in athletic performance, but applicable to you and I as well.

13. Most Complex Sport Movement Show Grace/Coordination Seeking Speed/Power >> Fall Like Dominos • In Golf, Tennis, and Baseball especially– the athletes make it look easy between powerful strides and explosive swings, i.e., THEY RELAX at critical moments between power moves to produce smooth, fluid, well coordinated “poetry” in motion

14. Speed, Power and Acceleration… Only Occur with Optimal Sensory Integration (Timing) • Optimal Timing is Inhibition of Effort too • Grace, Coordination, Balance is Due to Relaxed “marking time” Holding Back to Save Energy = Preparedness for the Next Powerful Yet Skilled Effort That is Well Integrated “Poetry in Motion”

15. So We Know Rhythm, Timing Pace & Poise Are “Important” – For Any Effort to Perform Well Especially applicable for you and I in Dancing, Skipping, Walking and even in Driving.

16. Rhythm-Timing-Relaxation Are Also Critical for Those Returning after Injury or Surgery. There is a Tendency to Try Too Hard When Slow Gradual Re-building of Strength, Balance and Efficiency is Sorely Neededfor Optimal Recovery

17. Mechanical Operation of the Interactive Metronome in Sport • Clapping hands in circular motion. • Step Forward – Backward / Heel-Toe in Rhythm…Just Like Marching Band

18. How Does The Interactive Metronome Work • It measures ability to repeat a psychomotor action precisely in time • In order to be successful at the task requires being “totally absorbed” in it. • The Brain Body Coordination. • Brain Training With Biofeedback

19. Sophisticated BrainTraining is Neurofeedback to reinforce intense focus while suppressing Theta ADHD Clinical Application where we can shape the Brain Waves. Delta, Beta, Alpha, Theta

21. Transition from Interactive Metronome and Biofeedback Tooo… The Importance of Emotional Flexibility to Stretch from Humor to Joy to Sadnessand Grief