Mind Over Sports

GEORGE BRETT AND THE PLACEBO EFFECT.

mindoversports — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:04:55 +0000

A lawsuit recently filed in federal court in Des Moines claims Spokane Valley, Wash.-based Brett Bros. Sports International Inc. has falsely claimed its Ionic Necklaces help customers relieve pain in the neck, shoulders and upper back, recover from sports fatigue and improve focus. According to the lawsuit, the company has also falsely claimed its bracelets, which include two roller magnets, would relieve wrist, hand and elbow pain.
So the question arises: Is there any validity to the claim made by the lawsuit. From my perspective I would say: No.
By way of background, we’ve all heard and read about the “Placebo Effect” and there is a basis for this type of psychological achievement. In his book, “The Silent Pulse,” George Leonard refers to this process as “positive physical transformation” dealing with the power of, what he calls, “Intentionality.” This is often identified as the placebo effect, an effect that is derived not from the potion but from the process, which is one of “authorization” (And by the way, there’s also a “Nocebo effect” which is a negative physical transformation. That is, when expectations are negative – or low – the authorization has the opposite effect.)
With the placebo effect, in matters of health, the physician simply authorizes the patients to do what they are already capable of doing…themselves. And the greater the perception of the physician, or trainer, or the coach, the more powerful the potion.
In Norman Cousin’s book, “Head First” it’s pretty clearly documented how the power of our beliefs impacts our bodies. For example, Mr. Cousins refers to a study conducted in England where 411 cancer patients were given chemotherapy tablets and told that one of the effects of the pill was that their hair would fall out. Thirty percent of the patients were given sugar pills, and their hair fell out.
Depak Chopra is a medical doctor who was educated in Boston and has practiced Endocrinology since 1971. He is former Chief of Staff of New England Memorial Hospital in Stoneham, Massachusetts and has written some excellent books on the subject of the relationship of the mind to health. Dr. Chopra has written: “What a patient believes can be the deciding factor in his or her disease…everything the physician does (including the most advanced surgery or the most powerful drugs) is secondary. A great deal of credit goes to the art of medicine which should go to the art of belief.”
Today, at the Harvard Medical School, there is extensive research being conducted regarding the power of the placebo under the watchful eye of its director, Ted Kaptchuk, who recently returned from Asia after studying Chinese medicine for a number of years.
So what does all this mean as related to the lawsuit against George Brett? Simply put, it means that your beliefs have a powerful effect on your life, and your health, and that anyone purchasing one of Brett’s necklaces or bracelets will find it highly beneficial if they BELIEVE that it will be highly beneficial. Obviously, the individual (or individuals) who filed the lawsuit did not believe the necklaces and bracelets worked, and because of that belief, they didn’t. So I’m sure in the coming months Brett’s attorneys will find many witnesses who swear by the effectiveness of the necklaces and bracelets. Why? Because they had a strong belief (even before purchasing them) that they would work.

GOOD OLE BOYISM AMONG COACHES!

mindoversports — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:57:26 +0000

I live in a mid-western community and there seems to be an unspoken rule among high school coaches here that one coach is never to say anything negative about another coach, even if that coach’s actions may be damaging the well-being of one of his or her athletes. I’ve found some coaches are what I’ve termed “blowviators” – that is, they pay lip service to caring about the welfare of kids but when it comes to stepping up to the plate and identifying a problem with another coach they seem to slither away like a shrinking violet. This is really too bad since I recently witnessed an exchange between a boys head basketball coach and one of his players where the coach refused to listen to his player’s problems and frustrations. In this particular case, I found out later that the coach has a drinking problem and even though the school principal, who I assume is aware of this, has not taken action to give the coach a leave of absence so he can get some help from the local AA Chapter. When I approached one of the local coaches about the problem he just laughed it off as if it were no big deal. I don’t know about you, but if my son were playing for a coach who constantly smelled of vodka I’d do something about it.

“THERE ARE MANY OPPORTUNITIES, BUT IN THE EXPERT THERE ARE FEW” – ZEN MASTER SUZUKI ROSHI

mindoversports — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:48:14 +0000

I’ve quoted Zen Master Suzuki Roshi because over the years while working with athletes and sports teams I’ve found there are many coaches who are not open to new ideas. Or new opportunities. In fact, many of them refuse to even have an introductory meeting with me because they believe they are “experts” when it comes to the mental aspects of sports performance. These coaches often regurgitate information they’ve learned over the years, even if that information is incorrect. Case in point: Anger. There are coaches who believe the use of anger is a great motivator, but I disagree. When you get angry, you give away your power. Some coaches believe a football player or basketball player will perform better if he or she is angry. Nothing could be further from the truth. A more appropriate approach might be that familiar phrase: “Don’t get mad, get even.”

The use of visualization is another area where many coaches are misinformed. They often teach visualization without any background knowledge regarding the fact that when athletes are encumbered with psychological baggage and unresolved issues, visualization will be ineffective. I remember I once had an encounter with a Division I football coach. He had been newly hired by the university and had just made a speech to a group of boosters. I accidentally ran into him the hallway as he was leaving and asked what he would do if he had an athlete with a personal problem. How would he handle it. He looked at me as if I was trespassing on his private turf and said curtly: “I would let my assistant coach handle it” and with that he turned and walked away. He didn’t hang around long enough for me to ask a follow-up question: “What if the athlete’s problem was with the assistant coach?” I predicted at the time that he would not be successful, and he hasn’t been.

But to be fair, there are many coaches who do not consider themselves “experts” in the arena of mental techniques and are open to new ideas and programs that will help them be successful. And as for me, I certainly don’t consider myself an expert, especially since I’m amazed at how much I learn every time I counsel an athlete or conduct a self-esteem building workshop or visualization seminar. We never stop learning, and those who do are destined to fail.

ELI MANNING’S MYSTERIOUS ILLNESS.

mindoversports — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:45:29 +0000

I read in today’s newspaper that New York Giants Quarterback Eli Manning missed part of Wednesday’s practice session with an illness that coach Tom Coughlin called “a stomach bug, hopefully a 24-hour deal.” Though it’s possible Eli has some kind of flu bug, it’s also possible that he is allergic to MSG (monosodium glutamate) and doesn’t even realize it. There was a long period in my life when I was suffering from a similar illness off and on and my friends had told me that it was “nerves” but it was only by chance I figured out that I was allergic to MSG. (A rocket scientist I’m not) ☺

There are many cases on file where high profile athletes (including Tiger Woods) suddenly came down with a “flu like symptom” and never realized the cause. In Tiger’s case he was dating his future wife, Elin Nordegren (now his ex-wife) and while living in Florida one day he became so ill that he vomited on the golf course and Elin was taken to the hospital. Later, it was revealed that she had fixed Tiger a meal of noodles and I wouldn’t be surprised if she used Accent to flavor it. Accent, in its original form, is almost entirely MSG, which is why in the last few years Accent has put out a companion product which is clearly marked on the label “No MSG.”

For those of you reading this who are not familiar with MSG, it’s a flavor enhancer and food preservative used by many restaurants and home chefs. The National Food & Drug Administration requires labeling on products containing MSG sold in supermarkets and other retail outlets, but there is no labeling requirement at restaurants since laws affecting restaurants are generally state imposed.

Most people know that MSG is often found in food served in oriental restaurants, but few are aware it is also used in food preparation in other types of restaurants as well. For example, lettuce for salads found on salad bars is sometimes submerged in a MSG solution to keep it from turning brown. MSG can also be found in gravies on steaks as a flavor enhancer, in soups and many other non-Asian foods.

The symptoms for having an allergic reaction to MSG are similar to those of being diagnosed as having the “stomach flu” or “flu-like symptoms” or migraine headaches. And it’s important to remember that if you should feel yourself having a migraine-type reaction to MSG, do not put a cold compress on your forehead. The reason for this is that when you have MSG in your system the capillaries in your brain become contracted, causing severe headaches and nausea. It’s important to expand them in order to increase the blood flow and the best way to do that is by taking a hot shower or placing a warm compress on the top of your head and on your forehead.

Some of the research has also found that pregnant women should be especially cautious since it’s possible that MSG can have a damaging effect on the fetus.

WHAT TAKES PLACE OFF THE FIELD AFFECTS WHAT TAKES PLACE ON THE FIELD.

mindoversports — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:08:36 +0000

Let’s face it. Athletes are human just like the rest of us mortal beings. They have issues in their personal lives that can affect their performance. Especially if they are withholding; that is, keeping their feelings and emotions about those issues bottled up inside themselves. Withholding is a form of lying that demeans them and lowers their self-esteem, creating psychological baggage that affects their ability to focus and process information. Right after the Tiger Woods debacle, former NFL running back Eddie George was asked what percentage of NFL players he thought were having extra-marital affairs. His response: 90%. If this is true, then that means 90% of all NFL players are not performing up to their skill levels and are prone to making mental errors during competition, such as dropped passes, missed tackles, thrown interceptions, fumbles and excessive penalties.

Another major issue for NFL players involves their finances. In the June 27, 2011 issue of USA Today, ex-NFL coach Joe Gibbs said he witnessed the following scene too many times: “A player would be upset with his contract (and) we’d be in serious discussions…and during the conversation it dawns on you, ‘Are you in financial trouble?’ That happens over and over again…it plays out a lot.” Gibbs also said: “I definitely feel like anybody that’s worried about their finances, it’ll affect every part of your life…Certainly your career and your focus…it’s an awful feeling to have a financial mess. It carries over to every part of your life.”

Athletes also have girlfriend and boyfriend problems. Having a relationship with a member of the opposite sex can be positive or negative, depending on that relationship. Other issues may involve members of their family, a teammate or even a coach.