Northampton Saints Invests In Mental Side Of Rugby

26 Oct 2015 | tshego

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Rugby union side, Northampton Saints are looking to improve mental stability of their players by using a new brain training app, engineered by Peak.

The app aims to improve on-field performance and provide feedback to training staff, as well as allow the University of Cambridge to continue their studies on cognition and the link with sports performance.

The app has six daily activities that help stimulate the brain and force it to make quick decisions. The games also adapt to the user’s performance levels and set goals to meet each day, the data is then collected and made into useful information for trainers that the University of Cambridge can study.

Peak’s app aims to promote high levels of IQ and focus, with the results from the app helping medical professionals who are working with the team.

Saints’ physiotherapist, Lee Daggett said: “Sports performance, especially at the elite level, depends both on outstanding physical and mental ability. This is certainly true in rugby union, when coaches need players to be able to maintain their focus and make correct decisions even after playing 80 minutes of intense action.

“The partnership with the University of Cambridge and Peak will give us the wherewithal not just to measure our players’ cognitive abilities, but also to assess the impact of brain training in improving their performance levels and recovery from the head injuries which can sometimes occur in a contact sport,” added Daggett.

Peak’s research scientist, Elias Mouchlianitis, stated: “This is a very promising prospect to see real-world application of brain training, and the outcomes of the research can help further extend our previous findings of the beneficial effects of brain training in other areas of the population.”

The original article can be found here.