Paralysis by Analysis

A lot of people have probably heard the phrase.. but what does it mean.

Paralysis (and poor form) comes by over analysing performance (whilst performing the already learnt skill).

Let me explain…

The theory of learning shows that we have three stages of learning…. to perform at our optimal level we need to turn our skills for example a deadlift into automatic programmes (level 3) through practice and repetition (from level 1 – Learning stage). The skill is then controlled and occurs through an unconscious process.

However, when we try to over analyse our performance (such as movement patterns and form) we turn the skill process from an unconscious smooth process into a conscious process, therefore regressing back to stage 1 of learning, as if we are learning it as a new skill. This means that we no longer have a smooth automatic programme and instead have smaller programmes of movements we need to put together to perform to whole skill. This leaves more room for errors to be made in each micro movement of the skill, leaves no cognitive processing room for other factors such as environment and slows the movement due to the cognitive processing. Over analysis leads to paralysis!

Try it for yourself… try to pick up an item but think of every single movement you make, no matter how small, every finger movement, every arm movement, and every eye movement.. how quickly did you do it? Now, apply that to your sporting skill and you will see how this can impact performance.

How do we stop this? Don’t overthink movements, don’t try and control every movement and trust your practice, your training and more importantly yourself (well, your unconscious self anyway).

A simple trick that can be used is to do a maths equation in your head, read a sign on the wall or say the alphabet in your head backwards..

NOTE: This is to be used with level 3 learning – Where we have already practiced and managed to use the correct movement patterns