A collaborative study between Gazi University Faculty of Sports Sciences and NÖROM revealed the effect of mental training on athletic performance. The Ankara TVF Sports High School Boys' Volleyball Team, participating in the study, became world champions at the World High School Volleyball Championship held in China.

In the study, conducted in collaboration between Gazi University Faculty of Sports Sciences and the Neuroscience and Neurotechnology Excellence Joint Application and Research Center (NÖROM), the Ankara TVF Sports High School Boys' Volleyball Team underwent six weeks of mental training in addition to physical training.

The athletes mentally visualized movements, primarily spikes and serves, without physically performing them, using audio recordings prepared by their coaches. Brain activity was analyzed using fNIRS before and after the six-week study.

The research results showed increased activation in brain regions associated with hand and arm movements used in spikes and serves. The study is significant because it is the first in Turkey to demonstrate, using fNIRS, the changes in movement-specific brain regions caused by mentally repetitive movements.

Gazi University Faculty of Sports Sciences Professor Dr. Özlem Orhan stated that mental training supports athletes' attention, focus, and motor control processes, and that these studies contribute to athletes being mentally prepared for competition.

Following the scientific study, the team participated in the World High School Volleyball Championship held in China and became world champions by defeating Greece in the final.

The joint study of Gazi University Faculty of Sports Sciences and NÖROM stands out as an exemplary study where scientific research meets sporting success. 🧠🏐🏆