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How Does Watching Sport Influence the Brain?

A During the epoch when the poet Homer unveiled his grand epic, the ancient Greeks initiated a festival where men contended in a race of roughly 200 metres. The victor would be rewarded with a symbolic olive branch. This event, known as the Olympics, has transcended its humble origins to embody the human quest for progress. The captivating nature of these games raises an intriguing question: what exactly draws us in as spectators? Is it the thrill of competition, the beauty of human movement, or something happening within our brains?

B In 1996, three Italian neuroscientists-Giacomo Rizzolatti, Leonardo Fogassi, and Vittorio Gallese conducted research on the premotor cortex of monkeys and made a groundbreaking discovery. They revealed a cluster of cells that act as a repository for motor actions, similar to 'grammar of movement'. These cellular networks represent the 'sentences' of full- body motions that our brains meticulously retain and refine. Take the art of swinging a golf club as an example. For those who only watch the Masters Tournament on television, playing golf may appear deceptively effortless. However, for novices, smoothly manoeuvring the asymmetrical metal club presents a nearly impossible challenge. This is because novices rely on conscious effort, utilising brain regions adjacent to the premotor cortex. Experts, by contrast, instinctively execute perfectly balanced movements, as their actions are deeply ingrained and intertwined with neurons in the premotor cortex. Their swing occurs with the serenity of a refined autopilot, requiring no conscious control. This neural distinction between novices and experts provides insight into how long-term training can physically reshape the brain.

C These neurons in the premotor cortex not only help explain why some athletes seem to have exceptional skills, but they also exhibit a wondrous characteristic that prompted Rizzolatti, Fogassi, and Gallese to bestow upon them the exalted label of mirror neuron'. They point out that mirror neurons are activated when a primate performs a particular action, such as grasping or holding an object, or when it witnesses another individual performing a comparable action. Humans possess an even more intricate mitor neuron system that reflects the external world in our brains, enabling us to intemalise the behaviours of others. Nonetheless, these cells necessitate what scientists refer to as 'goal-orientated movements' to activate. If we stare at a photograph, a static image of a runner striding ahead, our mirror neurons remain utterly silent. It is solely when the runner is in action, be it in running, moving, or sprinting, that they are ignited. Movement, not stillness, is what speaks to our brains.

D This mirroring mechanism is fundamental to our experience as spectators. When we witness a spectacular bicycle kick in football or a perfectly executed slam dunk in basketball, our mirror neuron systems are subtly stimulated, allowing us to mentally simulate the same action. This internal simulation fosters a profound connection with the athlete, as if we are participating in the movement ourselves. This phenomenon extends beyond mere observation; it can trigger a release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and endorphins, which are associated with pleasure and reward. Consequently, witnessing an athlete's success can generate a sense of euphoria and shared triumph, while their failure might evoke a palpable sense of shared anxiety. This neural mirroring is thus a key biological basis for the emotional rollercoaster we experience while watching sports.

E However, the influence of the brain on athletic performance is not confined to the premotor cortex. The anterior cingulate cortex, a region adept at error detection, also plays a pivotal role. During a high-stakes competition, this area continuously monitors an athlete's actions, comparing intended movements with actual outcomes. When a discrepancy arises, such as a tennis player misjudging a volley, it signals an error, prompting immediate corrective adjustments. This vigilant system works in concert with the mirror neuron network to maintain performance under pressure. While mirror neurons help in the fluid execution of learned skills, the anterior cingulate ensures precision by learning from mistakes in real-time, thus safeguarding the athlete's technique from deteriorating during critical moments.

F Ultimately, the brain's capacity to mirror and refine movement is not merely a tool for elite athletes; it is also the very reason why sport holds such universal appeal. The sight of an athlete pushing the limits of human potential does more than just entertain us. It activates a sophisticated neural network that allows us to embody the grace, power, and determination on display. This process, which integrates visual cues with our own motor representations, transforms passive watching into an active, internalised experience. We do not just see the action; we feel it, and in doing so, we connect with the fundamental human drive for excellence that has captivated us since the first races in ancient Greece.

Questions 27-32

*Reading Passage 3 has six paragraphs, A-F.*

Which paragraph contains the following information?

*Choose the correct letter, A-F, in boxes 27-32.*

NB You may use any letter more than once.

1. reasons why watching sport can bring emotional satisfaction

2. an explanation of why beginners struggle with sports tasks

3. a factor that can work alongside mirroring in sports competitions to maintain peak performance

4. a comparison between the mirror neurons of human beings and primates

5. mention of integrating visual and motor processes to understand athletic movements

6. reference to the first discovery of mirror neurons

Questions 33-36

*Look at the following researchers and findings (Questions 33-36) and the list of implications below.*

Match each finding with the correct implication, A-F.

*Choose the correct letter, A-F, in boxes 33-36.*

Findings
33. Experts' movements are deeply ingrained in the premotor cortex.
34. Mirror neurons require goal-orientated movement to activate.
35. The anterior cingulate cortex signals errors during performance.
36. Human mirror neuron systems are highly intricate.

Implications
A. This allows for immediate correction of actions during a game.
B. This is why static images do not stimulate these brain cells.
C. This explains why their actions appear effortless and automatic.
D. This is why long-term training is necessary to change the brain.
E. This enables us to internalise and understand the actions of others.
F. This helps athletes to ignore distractions from the crowd.

Questions 37-40

Complete the summary below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

*Write your answers in boxes 37-40 on your answer sheet.*

The appeal of sports spectatorship is deeply rooted in brain function. A key discovery involved cells known as 37 ....................., which store patterns for motor actions. These cells are activated not only when we perform an action but also when we observe someone else performing a similar one, but only if the movement is 38 ...................... This neural activity allows spectators to mentally simulate the athletic performance they are watching. Furthermore, watching sports can trigger the release of chemicals associated with pleasure. Another brain area, the 39 ......................, contributes to performance by detecting mistakes. Ultimately, watching sport is an engaging experience because it uses a neural process that combines what we see with our own 40 ...................... for movement.

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