Published on July 18, 2024
Olympic gymnasts and divers seemingly defy the laws of physics with their flips, twists and perfect landings.
While we marvel at the physiques of athletes like America’s Simone Biles and Greg Louganis – these physical abilities are at the core of their excellence – the role of their visual processing skills is also significant.
Overcoming the twisties varies for each individual, with no set timeframe for recovery.
Coping techniques may include using cue words to shift focus, visualising the skill for confidence-building, gradually progressing from easier to more challenging skills, and seeking support from mental healthcare providers or sports psychologists to manage anxiety and stress.
A similar but more transient mental block may also explain why Louganis hit his head during a dive in 1988. Losing one’s proprioceptive skills (the ability to know where one is in space) relative to the springboard could well have been the reason for his famous mishap.
The phenomenal achievements of Olympic gymnasts and divers are evidence of the extraordinary visual processing skills they can develop and perfect through rigorous training.
Their ability to see, interpret and react to visual information in real-time is what makes the performances of elite athletes like Simone Biles and Greg Louganis so fascinating and keeps us glued to our screens during the Olympics.
Coaches will continue to enhance their visual training techniques to complement an athlete's training so that we mere mortals can witness a continuous raising of the bar – or diving board – in competitive sport.
This article was first published on Pursuit. Read the original article.