WHAT MAKES ME NERVOUS?

Let the Coaches be the Neurons

Coaches initiate signals and signs that are called “plays” which that is

called “Nerve impulses” They are expressed with different signs which

represents different “plays” that the players read. “Exhibit both

excitability and conductivity”. (1)©

While defense is in the game offense is out of the game, which causes

their neurons to not conduct signals. They are then at “rest” . Defenses

are now conducting signals “plays”. There for the players that are

resting (offense) The plasma membrane potential maintained by a non-

conducting neuron’s plasma membrane is called the “Resting

Membrane Potential (RMP)” (1)©

Local potential- slight shift away from the RMP (resting membrane potential)

in a specific region of the plasma membrane

During half time, the players are using local potential to rest their bodies in

the locker room and prepare for the second half . (1)©

Action potential- an active neuron, one that is conducting an impulse

During the second half, the players are using action pot ential and execute

every play (1) ©

The Technical Side of Football Positions

Offensive Line Up: Summation players – multiple “players” are going to produce

responses in the nerve, muscle, and other parts of the other player’s bodies that

one “player” cannot produce themselves

1. Center: Spatial – this player is in equal importance to the QB but this player is

based on the ability of the postsynaptic “player” to help add together the

inhibitory and stimulatory input received by all the other presynaptic “players” to

produce action in the game

2. QB: Temporal – the QB further carries on the center’s job by simulating a

postsynaptic “player” by being a synaptic knob to produce action throughout the

game

Defensive Line Up: Neurotransmitter

players – these players create

communication in the game and are released

by the offensive players to “bond” with the

postsynaptic “players”

1. Middle Linebacker: Acetylcholine – this

player is important to this team because it

can be inhibitory or excitatory and works

within the memory of the other players

2. Safety: Amines – these players prevent certain responses in the brain, some of

these players are inhibitory like serotonin, and some are excitatory like histamine

3. Corners: Amino Acids – these players are found in absolutely every team and

they can either be excitatory in the spinal cord or brain, though most are

inhibitory in those areas

4. Nose Tackle: Other Small Molecules – this player is very important though

rarely given credit, many people are uncertain about what tis pl ayer actually

accomplishes but none the less is important

5. Outside Linebacker: Neuropeptides – these are large players in the game

(physically) and they bond together well with polypeptide bonds they can be

excitatory for the game or inhibitory (1)©

LAB ANSWERS:

4.) THE SPEED OF ELECTRICITY IN A COPPER WIRE IS 300,000,000 M/S COMPARED TO THE NE RVE

IMPULSE AT 100 M/S . THIS IS SUBSTANTIALLY QUICKER AND PROVES HOW SLOW THE HUMAN

REACTIONS REALLY ARE .

(7)©

5.) EVERYBODY IS GOING TO HAVE A DIFFERING ANA TOMY FROM ONE ANOTHER SO REACTIONS ARE

GOING TO DIFFER ALSO . A TALLER PERSON ’S REACTION TIME WOULD BE LONGER BECAUSE THE

DISTANCE THE NEURONS HAVE TO TRAVEL IS LONGER . THEREFORE , A SHORTER PERSON ’S REACTION

TIME WOULD BE SLIGHT LY QUICKER BECAUSE OF A SHORTER DISTANCE .

5 types of Glia- The Glia represents the Play Book!

1.) Astrocytes- these are star shape cells that are located in the brain.

Astrocytes are like inside zone (which is a running play) This play gets the offense

going it, it transfer all the hard work they put in practice into the game.

2.) Microglia- Like astrocytes, microglia digest parts of dead neurons. Like the

Astrocytes this play breaks down the defense. It sends different players different

ways. (Which is a passing play)

3.) Oligodendroglia- Provide the insulation (myelin) to neurons in the central

nervous system. This play provides the spark in the offense. This play succeeds

every time its ran. Kick (This is a running play.

4.) Schwann cells- Provide the insulation (myelin) to neurons in the peripheral

nervous system. This play provides the points on the score board because we score

on it every time. All Go (pass play)

5.) Satellite Cells- Physical support to neurons in the peripheral nervous

system. This play involves the whole 12 guys to be strong and go hit somebody

and get in the endzone. This play is a running play where you run out side and try

to get in.

(6)©

CNS or (Central Nervous System)

Position: Part of the Nervous system- the structural and functional center of the

entire nervous system. (©1) Relative to Football, this could be considered the

quarterback of the team. He is the player that controls what happens during the

game.

Job: Integrates incoming pieces of sensory information, and initiates an outgoing

response. (©1) Relative to football, this applies to the quarterback giving signals

to his fellow players before the snap of the football and making last second

adjustments to run a more accurate play.

PNS or (Peripheral Nervous System)

Position: Part of the Nervous system- consists of the nerve tissues that lie in the

“outer regions” of the nervous system. (©1) Relative to Football, this could be

considered the receivers who are on the outer edge of the plays but still are

involved in the game.

Job: Form incoming information pathways and outgoing pathways. (©1) Relative

to Football, it’s the receiver’s job to watch the quarterback and make the

appropriate adjustment if needed.

(©2)

Football Mental Toughness

“To Live you must die, To Lead you must serve, To Succeed you must try, To Win

you must surrender, To be Great you must be You.” – Josiah Hernandez

1.) Accepting the Best Impulse: “Afferent” As an athlete you must keep your nerves locked down and not let them get the best of you. Are you

going to let your Afferent Neurons go to your head and control your reactions? (3)© Athletes must not

let the body’s receptors send the wrong message to their head. Stay positive and put those negative

impulses in their place!

(5)©

2.) Make Your Brain send back the Best Reaction: “Efferent”

No matter the impulse your brain is receiving, make sure your brain is sending the best message back.

Don’t let your brain be stubborn! Just because your brain receives a negative message doesn’t mean

your brain has to send a negative message back. Make your brain make the best decision so that you

can execute the best action required. Are you letting your Efferent Neurons do what they want or are

you in charge and making your brain send the best response? (3)©

COACHES SIDE NOTE EXPLANATION: 1.) AN INVOLUNTARY ACTION IS FASTER DUE TO THE COMMAND COMING FROM A

LOCAL RESPONSE VERSUS A VOLUNTARY ACTION TRAVELING FROM THE BRAIN TO THE REQUIRED MUSCLES. FOR VOLUNTARY

ACTIVATION, THE SIGNAL GOES FROM YOUR BRAIN TO YOUR HAND, WHEREAS WITH INVOLUNTARY ACTIVATION, THE

AFFERENT NEURONS HAVE TO SEND THE SIGNAL FROM THE BRAIN BACK TO THE RECEPTOR. THIS CAUSES THE DIFFERENCE IN

REACTION TIMES.

3.) Get in the Best State of mind and you will Find, Yourself at State: “Somatic

Nervous System”

In order for an athlete to help get his team to “State”, he must have the best “State” of mind. If you

want to be the best you must train and think like the best. Your body will regulate itself and what goes

on in the inside, but this does not mean you can help. A part of being mentally tough, is knowing that

you are not alone. Your body is as tough as you make it. This isn’t just for the outside but for the inside

as well. So are you going to let your Somatic side of you do everything by itself or are you going to

suck it up and help?

4.) Don’t let your Competitions Size Intimidate you, because you Can’t Measure

Heart: “Autonomic Nervous system”

A lot of times athletes do is that they compare their outside physical appearance determine how they

match up against their opponent. This is a bad habit of the mind that you must overcome, lock up, and

get rid of! If you want to measure anything measure your heart, because how hard you push yourself

and your body’s limits will depict a much more intimidating opponent. Let your opponent know that

you have no fear! Next time in practice on the field ask yourself, “ Am I taking advantage of the

Autonomic side of me, Am I pushing my outer body to do what I want it to do, Am I working harder

than my opponent, and Am I flipping the switch every time I step out of that locker room?”. The day

you answers these questions with an “I Am”, is the day you will say and believe whole heartedly that

“I Am Great”.

Kick 1 Kick 2 Kick 3 Kick 4 Kick 5 Average

Time of muscle contraction (s) 0.99 4.63 8.06 11.34 17.12 Time of Muscle (s) 0.77 4.43 7.88 11.33 16.93 ∆t (s) 0.22 0.2 0.18 0.1 0.19 0.16

Kick 1 Kick 2 Kick 3 Kick 4 Kick 5 Average

Time of muscle contraction (s) 2.63 7.69 11.49 15.86 19.85 Time of Muscle (s) 2.59 7.72 11.46 15.73 19.81 ∆t (s) 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.13 0.04 0.054

REFLEX WITHOUT REINFORCEMENT REFLEX WITH REINFORCEMENT

REFLEX

RESPONSE MAX (MV) MIN (MV) ∆MV MAX (MV) MIN (MV) ∆MV

1 1.86 .74 1.13 1.82 .58 1.24

2 1.66 .77 .89 1.31 .75 .56

3 1.46 .77 .69 1.52 .77 .76

4 1.51 .72 .79 1.49 .66 .83

5 1.55 .77 .78 1.47 .70 .77

AVERAGE

VALUES

.856

.832

COACHES SIDE NOTE EXPLANATION: 2.) ALL ATHLETES ARE DIFFERENT IN THEIR PHYSIQUE WHICH MAKES RESPONSE

TIMES DIFFERENT. ONE ATHLETE OF MINE HAD A STIMULUS SPEED OF 20.41 M/S WHICH WAS FASTER THAN A LOT OF MY

OTHER PLAYERS BUT DOESN’T MEAN HE WAS BETTER.

3.) HIS RESULTS DIFFERED FROM OTHER ATHLETES IS BECAUSE HIS PHYSIQUE IS DIFFERENT THAN OTHER ATHLETES THAT

HAVE BEEN TESTED. THEIR REACTION TIMES MAY BE FASTER BUT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEIR ATHLETE IS BETTER

THAN MY ATHLETE.

COACHES SIDE NOTE RESULTS:

Delta t(s) Kick Delta t(s) Reflex

1 0.22 0.04

2 0.2 0.03

3 0.18 0.03

4 0.01 0.13

5 0.19 0.04