Blog 11

Today I had the opportunity to shadow Vincent Lodato, he is a Sport Psychologist who uses technology to train athletes. He also works with the Tampa Bay Rays as one of 3 Sport Psychologist on staff. Vince has done a lot of research and is always looking for more ways to improve his training methods. He took the time to sit down with me and tell me about the profession from his point of view. He gave me deeper insight into the world of Sport Psychology. Vince gave me great advice and I appreciate that he was open with me and was willing to give knowledge to the next up and coming wave of Sport Psychologist. He strongly believes in using the neuro tracker programs to make the brain sharper and stronger. You start off with level one and as you increase in difficulty the levels increasingly get harder and harder. As you get better in the program, you can add simple movement to the focusing program. The program is designed to use working memory along with your eyes.  The idea is to use a full field of vision when it comes to processing and playing a sport. The more you can process in game, the better you become as an athlete. By using the Neuro technology athletes can build the mental strength to hyper focus.
I was able to use the Neuro program and practice it. At first you think its a video game, however, it's very hard and forces you to hyperfocus on the screen. As you look at the screen the program is in 3D, the balls move and change direction. The program highlights four balls to follow, in order to follow them you need to allow your eyes to work together ( using full field of vision). The program  works your working memory and ability to process the information you are seeing. Then you type the numbers that correlate with the balls you followed. You have to trust your eyes and go with the information that you eyes are giving the brain. As each level increases the balls move faster and faster. They also change direction and bounce all over the place which really tests your ability to focus. It was honestly hard to track all the balls at times I lost track of them and would go back down a level. I was able to gain better focus once I got out of my own head and trust in what I was seeing.
I was also given the ability to see and talk with their gym training staff. The weight room facility is unbelievable! They have every weight lifting machine necessary to get a great lift in. The training staff was also phenomenal, a majority of them were former D1 athletes who know what it takes to succeed at all levels. They have the insight that many people don’t have. Each trainer has there own personal specialty that helps the athlete succeed in there sport.  The workouts designed by the training staff are tailor made your sport and is designed to get you in the best shape for that sport. They work with all sports as well: Golf, Football, Soccer, and many others. The gym focus on all the aspects of what it takes to make an athlete great! it was an amazing experience and I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity! I learned so much and am very thankful for the opportunity to shadow Vince for the morning.

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