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    Of course, there are many physical and mental factors that underpin excellent Athletic Performance, but the following 4 are essential Neurophysiologically:

1. Fixed Superior Mindfulness (FSM) and Mentally Tough Athlete (MTA) Advantage
2. Muscle Memory and Athletic Momentum Advantage
3. Alcohol and Marijuana Abstinence Advantage
4. Strong Belief Systems Advantage

This Publication will focus on number  1. 

Fixed Superior Mindfulness (FSM) and Mentally Tough Athlete (MTA) Advantage

• The major Brain Cells are called Neurons 
• Each Neuron (major Brain Cell) holds an 'idea'
• Neuron Idea Patterns are organized in Neural Networks (NeuroNetworks)
• Each NeuroNetwork holds summation of the group of Human Mind Ideas
• NeuroNets are groups of NeuroNetwork Human Mind Ideas that are draped over larger areas of Interrelated Mind Ideas
• Examples: 
• Religious Beliefs, Thinking, Memory, Shooting Basketball, love, sex etc.
• Brain NeuroNetworks and NeuroNets define Brain Systems that activate Consciousness and other Neurophysiologcal Mental, Motor-Physical, Reflex and other Brain Systems. [Your Beautiful Mind, George Helou]

What is the difference in Mindfulness and Mindset?

Mindfulness is not just Thinking, but a BRAIN NETWORK for a WAY OF THINKING, the Neurophysiology (action) elicited from the Neuroanatomy, the Brain-home that houses the cells in the Brain, which focuses awareness wholly on the present. 

Mindfulness is a Human's present awareness. When a Human is mindful the person accepts their current feelings, sensations and emotional networks, as the person becomes aware of them and then collects and mobilizes them for performance and actions.

Mindset is the current attitude of the Mind, derived from “habits of the Mind formed by previous experiences.” [ Am Psycholocigal Assoc., Online Etymology Dictionary]; mental attitudes that predetermines persons’ responses after interpretation of the situation. [APA, American Heritage Science Dictionary Mar 7, 2018]

Mindset is also described as a set of Beliefs Humans have, which direct Human potential responses, when internal and external stimuli are activated.

In medical terms, Mindset is a “fixed Mental Attitude or disposition that predetermines  a person’s responses to a situation”; (response to an internal or external stimulus); “a habit, inclination”. [Stedman’s Medical Dictionary 1995 terms]

In genetic language, Mindset is an inactive potential action, representing a variety of different genomic blueprints for ideas, attitudes, thoughts, beliefs etc., in Neuron Brain Cell nuclei, at rest, awaiting activation. [Enabling genius: A mindset for success in the 21st century by Myles Downey, 20, 224 pages]   Thought: “Here comes the ball. Action: I’ll catch it.” Thought: “time to pray.” Action: “Begin prayer.”

Other ways to think about Mindfulness and Mindset: they are Neurophysiology actions that requires action verbs and adverbs. Neuroanatomy is the Home that houses the anatomy, tissue and cells and requires noun names and descriptive adjectives.

Other important Networks are the Default Modes: Dorsal attention, Salience, Lateral visual auditory, motor, right executive, posterior Default Mode, left fronto-parietal, cerebellar, ventral attention, spatial attention, language, left executive, sensorimotor, memory and others.

Default Mode Networks are active when a person is awake but not focused on the outside world. The brain is at wakeful rest, such as during daydreaming and mind-wandering. The DMNs are active when the individual is not concentrating on tasks at hand, thought-drifting, Scatter-Brained, unfocused, distracted, thinking about others, thinking about themselves, remembering the past, and planning for the future.[4][5]

Though the DMN was originally noticed to be deactivated in certain goal-oriented tasks and is sometimes referred to as the Task-Negative Network,[6]

• 4. Buckner, R. L.; Andrews-Hanna, J. R.; Schacter, D. L. (2008). "The Brain's Default Network: Anatomy, Function, and Relevance to Disease". Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1124 (1): 1–38. Bibcode:2008NYASA1124....1B. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.689.6903. doi:10.1196/annals.1440.011. PMID 18400922.
• 5. Lieberman, Matthew (2 September 2016). Social. Broadway Books. p. 19. ISBN 978-0-307-88910-2.
• 6. Fox, Michael D.; Snyder, Abraham Z.; Vincent, Justin L.; Corbetta, Maurizio; Van Essen, David C.; Raichle, Marcus E. (2005-07-05). "The human brain is intrinsically organized into dynamic, anticorrelated functional networks". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 102 (27): 9673–9678. Bibcode:2005PNAS..102.9673F. doi:10.1073/pnas.0504136102. ISSN 0027-8424. PMC 1157105. PMID 15976020

“To determine if cognition (thinking) is universal or socio-cultural, investigators made a clear distinction between the different levels of thinking. 3 descriptive planes (3 levels) of Mind’s cognitive phenomenon (thinking) were described:

• 1. Biological Process: genes activate, neurons, proteins, enzymes, interact, etc.
• 2. Psychological Computation: Mind’s core programs/operations. (x leads to y)
• 3. Surface Behavior: relations between stimuli and responses.(x results in y)

“In this way, it becomes clearer that although both nature and nurture can have an effect to some degree on the 3 planes, the first 2 are essentially universal while the 3rd one is undoubtedly socio-cultural.

Athletes and all people have different ways of thinking but do they actually think in different ways?

The answer is that “people and Athletes from different cultures may have different ways of thinking, but they don’t actually do the thinking in different ways i.e. use either one independently or a hybrid of the aforementioned 3 thinking planes.   [Different Ways Of Thinking And Thinking In Different Ways Apr 22nd, 2005 by Paula Bourges-Waldegg]

Thinking is active neurophysiology. The idea in a neuron is the anatomy, more specifically cytology, at rest, but when activated, it is the action of the idea, neurophysiology.

The hypothesis is that ‘Fixed Superior Mindfulness’ (thinking/cognition) of the Superior and  Supreme Athlete utilizes primarily Biological Processes while being influenced less by secondary Psychological Computation and Surface Behaviors and the ‘Growth Mindset’ Athlete utilizes Psychological and Behavioral layers primarily with the Biological Processes considerably less.

‘Fixed Superior Mindfulness’ of the Superior and Supreme Athlete are characterized by many positive personality traits, which the Athlete Mindfully organizes from the Cerebral Cortex, the top of their Mind (located in top of Cerebrum), down through the entire Nervous System, directing total Mindful energy, wasting none, on the athletic tasks at hand.

‘Fixed Superior Mindfulness’ gathers the total Mind’s Cerebral energy at the moment for action and focalizes all the power of Mind, as it proceeds to and through the body below, for the desired Athletic Assignment accomplishment.

se pictue above

Cerebral Cortex Lobes: Frontal- blue, Parietal -yellow, Occipital – red, Temporal – green

see picture above

‘Fixed Superior Mindfulness’ is one of the greatest secrets of Athletic success and ‘poise’. No one can succeed without concentration.” “Perfect concentration is required for success.” 23.

“Concentration is a state of consciousness that is not actual until it becomes manifest. Concentration requires a ‘wide awake mind’, ‘wide awake attention’, undivided attention, and full mental action, 'locked and loaded' Mindful neurophysiology, where the attention is directed.

‘Poise’ is a tem slung around, frequently voiced, in the Sports world, but what exactly is it? Poise is a Mindset, an attitude of self-confidence, composure and self-control, when used in Sports.

“The attitude of ‘poise’ demands perfect concentration, because all mental energies at that time are concentrated and are not scattered. “Scattered energies are always lost. Masterfulness requires that all mental energies are concentrated and not scattered.  [The science behind concentration and improved focus Dec 6, 2013 by Alina Vrabie]

The brain has both antagonist and protagonist networks. The antagonist is a series of brain structures called the Default Mode Network (DMN). The protagonist network is a series of brain structures called the Task-Positive Network (TPN).

Athletes should not 'choke' because they are 'tight as a hat band', not concentrating fully on execution of their assignments.  During competitions Athletes must be lose, play with confidence and 'swagger'. Excellent Athlete Performance requires determination and fearlessness. Athletes should never become intimidated.

“DMN and TPN are mutually exclusive. The activation of the DMN inhibits the TPN and vice versa.

“The Default Mode Network (DMN) is a brain network that is intimately related to anxiety, depression, and obsessionality. The DMN has been shown to be negatively correlated with other networks in the brain such as attention networks.

The Default Mode Network is an interconnected and anatomically defined set of brain regions. The network can be separated into numerus hubs and subsections.

“The DMN can simplistically be thought of as being made up of “medial” (towards the middle) parts of the brain. Reference described the parts in detail.

The Default Mode Network is most commonly defined with resting state fMRI data by stimulating the posterior cingulate cortex and examining which other brain areas most correlate with this area.  [ Greicius, Michael D.; Krasnow, Ben; Reiss, Allan L.; Menon, Vinod (2003-01-07). “Functional connectivity in the resting brain: a network analysis of the default mode hypothesis”. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 100 (1): 253–258]

The DMN can also be defined by the areas deactivated during external directed tasks. []Raichle, M. E.; MacLeod, A. M.; Snyder, A. Z.; Powers, W. J.; Gusnard, D. A.; Shulman, G. L. (2001). “Inaugural Article: A default mode of brain function”. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 98 (2): 676–82]

The DMN was also described as the task negative network. [Fox, Michael D.; Snyder, Abraham Z.; Vincent, Justin L.; Corbetta, Maurizio; Van Essen, David C.; Raichle, Marcus E. (2005-07-05). “The human brain is intrinsically organized into dynamic, anticorrelated functional networks”. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 102 (27): 9673–9678.]

“The TPN is active during the attention-demanding tasks, responsible for directing our conscious attention towards the external environment through our 5 senses, towards our internal bodily states, and to the willful execution of physical and mental action, attentional focus that brings these experiences into conscious awareness.

“No study has demonstrated the simultaneous activation of the two networks, DMN and TPN (4). The relationship between the DMN and the TPN is analogous to the relationship between inhalation and exhalation: despite their intimate nature, the two cannot exist simultaneously.

“The TPN is made up of the lateral prefrontal cortex (lPFC), the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), the insula, and the somatosensory cortex (S1).The lPFC is located in the lateral aspect of the frontal lobe. The lPFC is responsible for attentional-direction, decision-making, working memory (task-specific short-term memory), and cognitive control (regulating our thoughts). For the aforementioned reasons we will refer to the lPFC as the “Director.” 

The lPFC dictates where we direct our attention and what we do with it.

‘Fixed Superior Mindfulness’ of the Superior and Supreme Athlete is characterized by the protagonist series of brain structures the Task-Positive Network (TPN), which is engaged when the Athlete attends to the here and now. The TPN is the action network. The TPN is the Athletes direct line to Mindfulness in the Present Moment in which worry and sadness cannot be activated, because the Default Mode Network (DMN) is inhibited from that moment.

As Kentucky Head Basketball Coach Calipari, who is a well read scholar, who always carries a book with him and who established CoachCal.com and Coach Cal’s Book Club for all interested, and who is a student of many subjects, explained, in his words, when a player of his, “conquered himself”. His player finally “grew-up” into a great basketball player, when “he conquered himself”.

In Classical terms, “The Latin phrase “vincit qui se vincit” translates to “He who Conquers, Conquers Himself.” It means that a person who overcomes his weaknesses or failings, who is able to control his emotions and actions, wins life’s most important battle. It is an adaptation of a phrase by Publilius Syrus, a Latin writer of maxims (1st century BC). He wrote: Bis vincit qui se vincit in victoria meaning “He conquers twice who conquers himself when he is victorious”; control your urge to be arrogant, smug, cruel, or vindictive when you win.” [Charlene Dargay, Updated Mar 27 2016 Quora]

Coach Cal brilliantly explained and applied to his players the psychological analysis, “He who Conquers, Conquers Himself,” which, in this reporter’s neurophysiological alternative terms, for which both are correct, is ‘Fixed Superior Mindfulness’ coupled with the protagonist Task-Positive Network (TPN).

Superior and Supreme Athletes, who are blessed with the ‘Fixed Superior Mindfulness’, are characteristically personable. They have positive energy personalities. They are Accessible, Kind and Courteous to the athletic staff, media and fans, very Self-Confident and Articulate. He/she appear Perceptive, Knowledgeable and Wise about their athletic expertise and obligations.

Practice leading up to the sporting event is always a serious endeavor for the ‘Fixed Superior Mindfulness’ Athlete (FSMA). The FSMA is a student of the game and assumes a Goal-Oriented preparation approach. They are extremely Energetic, Enthusiastic, Innovative, Hard-Working, Dedicated and Conscientious. The FSMA is always a leader on and off the court or field. He/she is Organized, a Perfectionist and always maintaining excellent Conditioning, Health, Strength and Readiness. The FSM Athlete is Uncomplaining and Stoic; never a ‘goldbricker’.

Come game time, the FSM Athlete remains Focused on Execution of his/her assignments and are always Concentrative and Courageous. He/she display Impressive, Exciting, Extraordinary, Heroic play and is Imaginative, Skillful, Intrinsically Motivated and Passionate for the game. FSMA Athletes play Intelligently, Intuitively, Perceptively and strive for Perfection. He/she often appear Invulnerable.

The FSMA is Appreciative, Modest and Humble in Victory and Gracious and Self-Critical in defeat.

Off the field or court, the FSMA has a good Personality and is Genuinely Optimistic, Honest, Honorable, Responsible Self-reliant, Trustworthy, Principled, Reliable, Considerate and always on their best Behavior. FSMA is very Contemplative and Consciously aware of their surroundings and possess a need to improve themselves and their game. FSMA has no ‘foolishness bone’ in their body.

Mental Tough Athlete (MTA) Mindset has a competitive advantage, derived from the love, passion, soul and spirit for the game.

Not all Athletes have Mental Toughness. Authentic, genuine Athlete Toughness Mindset is multidimensional. The MTA is gifted with ‘FS Mindfulness’, have the athletic ability to back it up and a ‘5 star ‘Will To Execute Assignments’, perform well.

Gucciardi et al (2015) presented 7 Mindset indicators of Mental Toughness: Self-Belief, Attention Regulation, Emotion Control, Success Mindset, Context Knowledge (understanding the event at the moment), Buoyancy (cheerful disposition) and Optimism. [Sport Psychology: A Complete Introduction by John Perry Hodder & Stoughton, Jan 14, 2016]

Mentally Tough Athlete (MTA) has extreme passion for the game, an intense emotional feeling for the game and plays for the love of the game, not the fear of the Coach, fear of loss or any other fear and enjoys the aggressive play and self-denying physicality of the game.

This reporter believes that Mentally Tough Athletes are blessed with ‘Fixed Superior Mindfulness’. When both are combined, the Athlete in possession is something very special.

The FSMA-MTA studies the intricacies of the game, stays focused on assignments, avoids distracting obstacles, while playing the game. Nothing impedes the FSMA-MTA focus and places execution of assignments for the team victory first before personal recognition.

The FSMA-MTA  is well-rounded, prepared for success and victory; always comes with their game-on, every game, as only they can play it, because their mind and bodies are completely prepared.

The FSMA-MTA are dedicated, self-sacrificing, determined, play aggressively, maintains strict conditioning and stays in excellent shape year round. They never dissipate and seize every moment to stay in top condition.

The FSMA-MTA desires to be a player in something bigger than self, part of a successful team, yet humble in victory and graceful in defeat.