Elite soccer players possess an uncanny ability to swiftly adjust their motor actions, which stems from a phenomenon termed ‘Motor Inhibition’. In this dive into the subject, we unravel the insights from renowned Dutch researcher Lot Verburgh on this critical brain function, and how it can be honed for athletic advantage.
Read more: The Neuroscience Behind Soccer’s Elite: Mastering Motor InhibitionAn Exploration of Brain Functions in Youth Socce
Lot Verburgh’s groundbreaking research delves into the relationship between brain functions and soccer performance in young elite players. Remarkably, she zeros in on three pivotal elements of the executive system: Motor Inhibition, Attention, and Visual Working Memory. Simply put, Inhibition refers to the postponement or halting of impulses or decisions. A captivating instance of Motor Inhibition in sports can be viewed here.
A Deep Dive into Verburgh’s Findings
Verburgh’s study involved 48 highly talented soccer players (average age: 11.9 years) and juxtaposed their results with a control group of 42 amateur players averaging 11.8 years. Her methodologies for testing Motor Inhibition involved the ‘Stop Signal Task’, while the ‘Adaptive Version of Tasks’ by Berman-Nutley was used for Visual Working Memory. The ‘Attention Network Test’, gauging player alertness and focus, was the final tool employed. The findings were multifaceted, yet the standout discovery was a significant variance in ‘motor inhibition’. Verburgh stated to Sportknowhowxl, “Top talents excel in rapidly adjusting their motor skills. This adaptability, especially when an unexpected opponent player emerges, can set real soccer champions apart.” While areas such as reaction speed and memory saw above-average scores by professional players, the results weren’t deemed significant.
Cultivating Motor Inhibition: Practical Training Techniques
So, the pressing question is, how can one train ‘Motor Inhibition’? It’s about challenging players to delay or halt their decisions or impulses. One of my foundational training exercises derives from the ‘Stroop Test’. For instance, try reading these words: Red, Blue, Orange. Now, discern the colors of these words: Green, Yellow, Purple. The latter task may have been trickier due to the intention of the test: evoking conflicting reactions and truly challenging automated responses.
Harnessing this knowledge, I incorporate the SMARTGOALS technique as illustrated with the Graafschap JO13-1 talent, Stan van Dillen, here. This training emphasizes auditory cues. In soccer, decisions often arise from visual stimuli. Therefore, I use color boards (blue/orange) where players must first discern which color I display, then resist or delay acting on that impulse.
Another intriguing exercise I employ can be seen in this video. Kids, positioned opposite each other, ‘dribble’ on their toes. Suddenly, I illuminate two Smartgoals (by Chris Heger). Now, the trick is that they cannot pass through the same goal, demanding swift reactions and spontaneous adjustments.
Beyond Smartgoals: Diverse Training Modalities
While I frequently train individual players and groups using Smartgoals, there’s a plethora of techniques to hone ‘Motor Inhibition’ without them. These range from using color-coded hats to auditory cues. Moreover, the role of ‘Motor Inhibition’ extends to other dynamic sports like Hockey, Basketball, Rugby, and Volleyball, all of which necessitate swift adaptations to evolving situations.”