Brain Endurance Training helps athletes combat mental fatigue

Professional athletes are increasingly utilizing Brain Endurance Training (BET) to combat mental fatigue during long-duration physical activities. Unlike traditional physical training, BET focuses on strengthening the brain's ability to resist the cognitive exhaustion that often limits physical performance.

Dr. Christopher Ring, a professor of psychology at the University of Birmingham, has studied this method for nearly a decade. The practice typically involves 15 to 20 minutes of cognitive exercises, often via smartphone apps, where athletes must respond rapidly to patterns, letters, or numbers. The goal is to induce mental fatigue through repetition.

Sports psychologist Scott Frey notes that while traditional sports science has historically focused on the body, the brain acts as the central command for behavior. Athletes like professional cyclist Tom Portsmouth have reported that BET helps them achieve a ‘flow state,’ allowing them to remain focused despite physical pain or anxiety during endurance events.