Mind Over Body Study

admin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:39:20 +0000

Have you ever heard the phrase mind over body, mind over matter or mind over muscle? The basic idea is that if you believe it to be true, is. If you think you can, you will. If you think you can’t, you won’t!

Athletes, coaches and sport psychologists use this as a method to win. By using visualization techniques and truly believing in the power of yourself, it may give you the edge over someone who doesn’t believe in the strength of their mind.

To test the theory of mind over matter The American Council on Exercise (ACE) conducted a study to prove if this technique held any scientific truth to it.

For this Particular Study they gathered runners that ran a minimum of 16 miles a week, at various levels of fitness. The researchers told the participants they were there to test the effectiveness of oxygenated water, to see if it really gives an athlete more endurance and energy.

What they actually gave them, was normal bottled water. A placebo.

The results of this study showed that 84% of participants ran faster while drinking the placebo. Interestingly enough, the study confirmed that the newer runners not only run faster while drinking the placebo but were more likely to buy it. Experienced runners on the other hand, claimed they felt no difference in their runs and did not think it worked.

This says, that the experienced runners know their bodies and abilities very well. They did not fall for the placebo because they know the strength of their own bodies too well to think a bottle of water can truly help improve run times. They have a higher developed self awareness. A strong mind and body! On the other hand the newer runners ran faster and farther because they truly believed they were given a supplement to aid their own abilities.

This tells me that while using your mind does work, It will only carry you so far. It takes more than that to succeed. Using mind over matter techniques is a supplement in itself but you can’t think your way to winning or visualize the weight off. Success is achieved through hard work both mentally and physically.

Believing that you can do it can carry you part of the way but it’s the consistent training that will ultimately get you there.

Think About It!

By: Kaleena A Lawless

Study Desk » Endurance

Mind Over Body Study