Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Illogical behaviors can be explained
The media is filled with headlines about people who have made irrational decisions. Recently, TV viewers witnessed soccer star Zinedine Zidane’s head-butt of an opponent. An NFL player used his spikes to stomp on another player’s head and a college football brawl between the University of Miami and Florida International University shocked millions. Mike Tyson actually bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield’s ear during a boxing contest in 1997.
While sports fans around the world ask themselves why incidents like these occur, they need look no further than human neurophysiology for the answer.
In our efforts to achieve new levels of human performance, we incorporate the “fight or flight” response. This consists of the human reaction to real or perceived danger. The adrenal glands basically kick into overdrive, which results in sweating, tremors, increased muscle strength and rapid heart rate.
It is this rapid heart rate that has been studied most extensively. Normal heart rate generally runs in the range of 60-80 beats per minute (bpm). Dave Grossman, a former army officer and author, believes the range where stress improves performance is between 115-145bpm. After 145bpm, motor coordination begins to deteriorate. At 175bpm, circulation to the brain decreases and cognition slows. Behavior may become inappropriately aggressive.
There is an intimate relationship between the heart and brain, which is emphasized during stressful events. Since we are all susceptible to extreme stress at any time, preparing our bodies through exercise and healthy lifestyles is of paramount importance. Consider how one’s body may react to a heated argument, “road rage,” or suddenly becoming lost.
In order to avoid ill effects, our bodies can be trained for moments of hyper-intensity.
As residents, trauma surgeons prepare for many hours under harsh conditions so they can perform optimally in a crisis. Military officers develop skills to lead troops while under fire. Police departments now avoid high-speed chases to diminish the risk of poor judgment while apprehending a criminal. Teenage drivers need to master varied driving situations to become proficient at making split-second decisions. Older drivers must understand their limitations and avoid driving at night or in unfamiliar areas, which could cause fear and panic.
While you wouldn’t expect fear and panic to overwhelm a soccer star, boxing champion or football players, that is exactly what happened.
Anthony G. Alessi, MD, MMM is a neurologist in private practice at NeuroDiagnostics, LLC in Norwich and a member of the Backus Hospital Medical Staff. He is also an Associate Clinical Professor of Neurology at UCONN. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. E-mail Alessi and all of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org.
While sports fans around the world ask themselves why incidents like these occur, they need look no further than human neurophysiology for the answer.
In our efforts to achieve new levels of human performance, we incorporate the “fight or flight” response. This consists of the human reaction to real or perceived danger. The adrenal glands basically kick into overdrive, which results in sweating, tremors, increased muscle strength and rapid heart rate.
It is this rapid heart rate that has been studied most extensively. Normal heart rate generally runs in the range of 60-80 beats per minute (bpm). Dave Grossman, a former army officer and author, believes the range where stress improves performance is between 115-145bpm. After 145bpm, motor coordination begins to deteriorate. At 175bpm, circulation to the brain decreases and cognition slows. Behavior may become inappropriately aggressive.
There is an intimate relationship between the heart and brain, which is emphasized during stressful events. Since we are all susceptible to extreme stress at any time, preparing our bodies through exercise and healthy lifestyles is of paramount importance. Consider how one’s body may react to a heated argument, “road rage,” or suddenly becoming lost.
In order to avoid ill effects, our bodies can be trained for moments of hyper-intensity.
As residents, trauma surgeons prepare for many hours under harsh conditions so they can perform optimally in a crisis. Military officers develop skills to lead troops while under fire. Police departments now avoid high-speed chases to diminish the risk of poor judgment while apprehending a criminal. Teenage drivers need to master varied driving situations to become proficient at making split-second decisions. Older drivers must understand their limitations and avoid driving at night or in unfamiliar areas, which could cause fear and panic.
While you wouldn’t expect fear and panic to overwhelm a soccer star, boxing champion or football players, that is exactly what happened.
Anthony G. Alessi, MD, MMM is a neurologist in private practice at NeuroDiagnostics, LLC in Norwich and a member of the Backus Hospital Medical Staff. He is also an Associate Clinical Professor of Neurology at UCONN. This column should not replace advice or instruction from your personal physician. E-mail Alessi and all of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org.
# posted by ----------------- @ 10:29 AM 
