In this episode, Steve, Jamie Pringle, and Rosie Mayes delve into the complex topic of stress and adaptation, exploring its implications from sports to business. The discussion opens with the basics of how stress impacts the body and mind, drawing on Hans Selye’s foundational research. The conversation quickly evolves into examining the complexities of stress adaptations, questioning if growth is possible without stress and introducing the idea of “minimum effective dosing” in training for optimal growth.
The importance of the coach-athlete relationship and self-awareness is highlighted, as well as Carol Dweck’s theories on growth versus fixed mindsets. The panelists advocate for embracing failure as a learning tool and stress the role of variety in driving adaptation. They explore how performing under pressure can lead to skill development and note that recovery is often overlooked in both sports and business settings.
The discussion closes with a focus on empathy and trust in applied sports science, underscoring the need for continuous self-improvement. The episode encapsulates the multi-dimensional aspects of stress, adaptation, and growth, offering valuable insights for individuals across various fields.
Show Notes
4:00 – An introduction to Hans Selye’s seminal work on the systemic hormonal responses to stress and how the human body and mind responds under duress.
6:40 – Positive and negative stressors and responses. No pain no gain…pushing into an area of discomfort or pain to allow development and adaptation.
8:10 – Dr Mary Neville sprint adaptation and 12 leg biopsies!
12:30 – Stress adaptations are complex to interpret. Adaptations occur as a result of a variety of interacting dynamics across our individual experiences.
14:30 – Do we adapt and improve without some form of stressor?
16:00 – Fight or flight response, Walter Cannon
16:27 – Does it always have to be a stressor? Appreciative enquiry, the reinforcement of the positives
18:00 – Minimum effective dosing. What are the core pieces in your training that are giving you 80-90% of your adaptation both physically and mentally?
21:05- The subjective experience of enduring a stressor. Knowing yourself, others and the concept of time throughout the stress adaptation and recovery process.
25:00 – The role of the coach and scientist enabling the athlete to know what is going on in their mind and body in a way that is helpful for them. Coach – Athlete relationship key.
27:05 – Carol Dweck’s, growth vs fixed mindsets and the stubbornness of self-efficacy.
28:50 – Knowing your capabilities, boundaries and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.
32:40 – Variety is key in developing an adaptation. Monotony and familiarity can prevent or slow adaptation. Explore and find your own method.
34:15- Fail fast and learn quick. An environment to allow failure and learning important for creativity and innovation in sport and business.
35:23 – Ability to perform under pressurised conditions develops and acclimatises your skillset, resulting in increased skill development.
38:48 – No one’s fitter at the end of a marathon! Failure and suppression of the system from which adaptation occurs
41:45 – Learning and the state of flow. Being immersed, focused and recovery. Immersion, incubation and inspiration.
43:15 – Discussion on the mind-body relationship and the role of feedback in adaptation, self-regulation and performance.
47:26 – The business world is great at stressing but less so at recovering.
47:57 – Moving the body can move the brain. Shifting from an idle physical and mental state into an active physical state can alter brain functioning (Forgetting and doorway research, https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.3758/PBR.17.6.900.pdf)
50:40 – Becoming self-aware, understanding ourselves and how we operate in the world in order to create environments in which we can test, adapt and develop.
51:51 – Put yourself in the shoes of the athlete as an applied sport scientist. Empathy, trust, credibility and an understanding of their sport crucial.
55:41 – Striving for meaning and mastery in personal and professional pursuits.
58:02 – As Yoda would preach – “we have to work intentionally with courage, effort, patience, persistence and reflection in order to fail, adapt and grow”
To follow the panellists on Twitter:
@RosieMayes49 @JamiePringle @ingham_steve
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