our research
Elite Performance Solutions is the forefront of bringing neuroscience into the field of performance and training.
Enhancing human performance under pressure has profound implications—for critical missions, emergency responses, high-stakes decisions, and any challenging context requiring individuals to be at their peak. Emerging neurotechnologies offer an unprecedented opportunity to radically augment human cognition, emotion, and learning – precisely when we need it most.
Our human performance tools integrate insights across disciplines as diverse as neuroscience, psychology, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence. We review some of the most ground-breaking studies at the intersection of neuroscience and neuroperformance, selected to showcase the engines driving rapid progress in this arena. While not exhaustive, the research highlighted illuminates key insights and innovations our team incorporates to develop evidence-based systems for elite performance enhancement.
Please understand our selection. We highlight some and not all of our work and the selective work of others, which does not imply endorsement or knowledge of our work from the associated researchers. Individuals interested in sending us articles or seeking more information about our list of more than 200 references can write us at info@eliteperformance.org
Elite Athlete Performance
You can’t think and hit at the same time: neural correlates of baseball pitch classification. Sherwin, J., Muraskin, J., and Sajda, P.(2012). Frontiers in Neuroscience, 11 (6): 1-11. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2012.00177
Using EEG and behavior the article provides evidence on pitch classification timing and the generation of a motor response. A classification that must occur in a fraction of a second is based largely, if not completely on non-conscious processes. Further, the authors show that EEG can provide insights into these non-conscious processes for the potential of building neuroplasticity-based training programs.
Expert performance: Its structure and acquisition. Ericsson, K. Anders, and Charness, Neil. (1994). American psychologist, 49, no. 8: 725. DOI: 10.1037/0003-066X.49.8.725
The 10,000-hour rule was observed in the acquisition of masters along with the contributions of unstructured practice versus structured and deliberate practice. The role that effective coaching can play in supporting mastery at even faster rates of acquisition.
Inside the brain of an elite athlete: the neural processes that support high achievement in sports. (2009). Yarrow K, Brown P, Krakauer JW. Nat Rev Neurosci. 10(8):585-96. https://doi:%2010.1038/nrn2672
Groundbreaking work that links neural and cognitive processes important for elite performance with computational and physiological theories inspired by much simpler laboratory tasks. Created a model to help us consider how more basic neuroscience research might help to explain sporting skills at the highest levels of performance.
Professional athletes have extraordinary skills for rapidly learning complex and neutral dynamic visual scenes. Faubert, J. (2013), Scientific Reports, 3 (1154): 1-3. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep01154.
Evidence that athletes’ sports-related perceptualcognitive performance is related to their level of competitive sports. Elite players have better performance than amateurs and non-athletes perform at a lower level. Importantly, these abilities conform to the rules of neuroplasticity and over a period of weeks did not plateau.
Neurocognitive Measures Dissociate Elite Athletes In Rugby By Position, (2018). Nugent, T.F., Miller, S.L., Kruse, A. and Bach, D.Society For Neuroscience, 2018 Annual Meeting, San Diego Ca. 10.13140/RG.2.2.25775.59042
In the current study, we administered elite professional athletes a sequence of computer-based neurobehavioral tasks that systematically increase task processing demands while requiring rapid and accurate motor responses. Concurrent brain recordings, using EEG, during the testing provided us with a real-time link between the neural, behavioral, and cognitive processes of the team of world-class athletes. Results from this study should provide insights into our understanding of new tools to enhance, differentiate, and/or remediate the neurocognitive performance of elite athletes.
Corporate Executive Performance
An Investigation of Computer-based Brain Training on the Cognitive and EEG Performance of Employees. (2019). Miller, S.L., Chelian, S., Mcburnett, Tsou, W. and Kruse, A. Conference proceedings: Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society Conference pages 1-4. 10.1109/EMBC.2019.8856758
A two-group, quasi-experimental, pre-and post-test intervention design was used to study the neurophysiological outcomes of performance-based neuroplasticity training. On pre-training measures of neurocognitive performance, group differences in performance did not reach statistical significance. Following the training, participants experienced an increase in cognitive efficiency from the program as measured in three ways: increased standardized test performance, an EEG-based measure of workload, and positive self-reported data in the workplace.
EEG-derived changes in brain activation and network connectivity in corporate employees due to brain training, (2019). Chelian, S., Miller, S.L., Mcburnett, W., Kruse, A. Conference: Society for Neuroscience. **https://bit.ly/3PTxNrR**
Initial work to show that a specific brain region could be targeted in performance-based neuroplasticity training. EEG analysis included measurements of band power at electrodes and brain sources as well as information flow between brain sources. Results show the task-specific recruitment of brain regions as well as providing observations into mechanisms of neuroplasticity. Insights from this study could lead to new tools and approaches to enhance the neurocognitive performance of elite performers in a variety of domains.
Brain plasticity-based therapeutics. (2014). Merzenich, Michael M., Van Vlett, Thomas M., and Nahum, M. (2014). Frontiers in human neuroscience, 8: 385. DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00385
The neuroplastic processes of the brain are continuous and bi-directional. The brain is constantly changing to best represent our important life experiences and challenges. These experiences include positive remodeling and improvements as well as negative experiences that can undue prior improvements or create performance plateaus. Seeking beneficial experiences are just as important as avoiding “bad practice” or negative learning experiences.
Research Supporting Training that Rewires the Brain - Adapted from BrainHQ Research Summary (January 2024)
BrainHQ is designed to work through brain plasticity—the process by which the brain physically changes through learning, experience, and training. Making these physical changes to the brain is key to improved brain performance.
Every BrainHQ exercise challenges the brain’s speed and accuracy of information processing. Using smart adaptive algorithms, each exercise ensures that the challenge stays at a level just right for driving brain change—not too easy, but not too hard. The result is that BrainHQ exercises rewire the brain, improving brain activation, timing, and connectivity between different brain regions.
Increased Activation Following Training
Scientists can measure brain activation in response to things we hear, see, or do using a variety of advanced brain imaging techniques, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG). Stronger brain activation generally means that the brain is doing more—more seeing, hearing, remembering, and thinking. A number of studies have shown that BrainHQ exercises increase activation of brain regions related to specific cognitive functions.
- The IMPACT Study, showing that using BrainHQ exercises led to an average increase in auditory processing speed of 135%. A follow-up study showed that this benefit was largely retained three months later, with no further training.
- The ACTIVE Study, showing a significant improvement in visual processing speed with training. Follow-ups showed that people retained a substantial amount of the speed benefit five and even ten years later, especially if they did some short “booster” sessions on occasion.
- The IHAMS Study, demonstrating that BrainHQ training drove significantly better improvements than crossword puzzle training in several key measures of processing speed.
- A study showing that BrainHQ training improves a key measure of processing speed significantly more than ordinary cognitive stimulation using educational videos and quizzes.
Training Sharpens Cognitive Function
By rewiring the brain through brain plasticity, and improving the speed and accuracy of information flow through the brain, BrainHQ exercises are designed to improve the quality of information that reaches the brain’s memory, attention, and thinking centers. In this way, BrainHQ sharpens cognitive function, helping people think faster, focus better, and remember more.
Faster Processing Speed/Thinking Faster
One of the most important goals of BrainHQ training is to speed up your brain’s processing. That’s because quick, accurate processing of information that comes in through hearing, vision, and the other senses affects “higher” cognitive functions—like memory and problem-solving. Dozens of scientific papers have shown BrainHQ exercises improve brain speed.
Key studies include:
- The IMPACT Study, showing that using BrainHQ exercises led to an average increase in auditory processing speed of 135%. A follow-up study showed that this benefit was largely retained three months later, with no further training.
- The ACTIVE Study, showing a significant improvement in visual processing speed with training. Follow-ups showed that people retained a substantial amount of the speed benefit five and even ten years later, especially if they did some short “booster” sessions on occasion.
- The IHAMS Study, demonstrating that BrainHQ training drove significantly better improvements than crossword puzzle training in several key measures of processing speed.
- A study showing that BrainHQ training improves a key measure of processing speed significantly more than ordinary cognitive stimulation using educational videos and quizzes.
Focus Better
The ability to focus your attention on what matters—and equally important, to ignore what doesn’t—is even more important than you might think. When you can focus your attention on a conversation (while filtering out distracting background noise) and on the visual world around you (so you can quickly spot what you need and dismiss what you don’t), it helps you feel sharp, connected, and on top. What’s more, focusing your attention helps your brain pump chemicals that improve learning and memory. Multiple scientific papers on BrainHQ exercises have shown that training with BrainHQ can improve attention, both by helping you focus and by helping you filter out what doesn’t matter to you.
Key studies include:
- A study documenting improvements in people’s ability to notice targets in their peripheral vision.
- A study showing that training enhanced people’s ability to focus on relevant information while ignoring distractions.
- A study finding that BrainHQ exercises reduced distraction-related errors, which improved overall attentional performance.
Remember More
Of all cognitive abilities, memory is one that feels particularly important to many of us. Having a sharp, effective memory makes people more confident—having memory lapses can leave them feeling insecure. More than a dozen scientific studies—conducted by well-regarded researchers at respected universities in a variety of populations—have shown that using BrainHQ exercises can have a substantial impact on memory performance.
Key studies include:
- The IMPACT study, showing that people doing BrainHQ exercises experienced an average improvement in an overall measure of memory that was more than four times larger than a control group doing ordinary adult educational activities.
- A study finding that BrainHQ exercises enhanced working memory by reducing distractibility and improving attention.
- A study documenting that BrainHQ training in combination with physical exercise improved episodic memory—the memory for specific events in life, such as a first day of school or a special party.
Proven Benefits in Attention and for Individuals Suffering with ADHD
Mishra, J., R. Sagar, A. A. Joseph, A. Gazzaley, and M. M. Merzenich. 2016. “Training Sensory Signal-to-Noise Resolution in Children with ADHD in a Global Mental Health Setting.” Translational Psychiatry 6 (4): e781. http://www.nature.com/tp/journal/v6/n4/abs/tp201645a.html.
Mishra, Jyoti, Michael M. Merzenich, and Rajesh Sagar. 2013. “Accessible Online Neuroplasticity-Targeted Training for Children with ADHD.” Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health 7 (1): 38. https://doi.org/10.1186/1753-2000-7-38.
Adapted from BrainHQ Research Summary (January 2024)
