The Doctor is in

More from Dr. Rowe. This research says that mental training can make our brains more efficient. And what we do as martial artists is the type of training that falls into that type of training. Emphasis added.

Mental training affects distribution of limited brain resources.
Slagter HA, Lutz A, Greischar LL, Francis AD, Nieuwenhuis S, Davis JM,
Davidson RJ
PLoS Biol. 2007 Jun ; 5(6): e138

The information processing capacity of the human mind is limited, as is
evidenced by the so-called "attentional-blink" deficit: When two targets (T1
and T2) embedded in a rapid stream of events are presented in close temporal
proximity, the second target is often not seen. This deficit is believed to
result from competition between the two targets for limited attentional
resources. Here we show, using performance in an attention-blink task and
scalp-recorded brain potentials, that meditation, or mental training,
affects the distribution of limited brain resources. Three months of
intensive mental training resulted in a smaller attention blink and reduced
brain-resource allocation to the first target, as reflected by a smaller
T1-elicited P3b, a brain-potential index of resource allocation.

Furthermore, those individuals that showed the largest decrease in
brain-resource allocation to T1 generally showed the greatest reduction in
attentional-blink size. These observations provide novel support for the
view that the ability to accurately identify T2 depends upon the efficient
deployment of resources to T1. The results also demonstrate that mental
training can result in increased control over the distribution of limited
brain resources. Our study supports the idea that plasticity in brain and
mental function exists throughout life and illustrates the usefulness of
systematic mental training in the study of the human mind.

**************************************
Lee Wedlake has been teaching Kenpo Karate for over 35 years and has written a variety of Kenpo Books about different kenpo katas and kenpo concepts. Mr. Wedlake has worked directly with Ed Parker and is generous with his knowledge and his time. He is available for Kenpo Seminars and camps.