The Science Behind Elite Athletic Performance

Knowledge at Wharton

  • Jun 10, 2026
  • 15:39
  • Full Episode

ABOUT THE EPISODE What separates elite athletes from everyone else? Michael Platt, Professor of Marketing, Psychology, and Neuroscience at the Wharton School, shares insights from his research on measuring focus, confidence, decision making, and mental fatigue to better identify and develop top performers. The conversation examines how brain-based performance metrics are transforming athlete selection and training, while also revealing applications for business leadership, cybersecurity, military operations, and other high-pressure professions where performance matters most.

ABOUT THE PODCAST This Week in Business features interviews with Wharton faculty about the latest news, fascinating trends, and issues impacting both consumers and the business world. Episodes are recorded at the Wharton School and published twice per week.

#SportsScience #Neuroscience #PeakPerformance #Leadership #Athletes ----- The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is committed to sharing its intellectual capital through Knowledge at Wharton, the school’s online business analysis journal.

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Brief Summary

Michael Platt discusses athlete performance, brain science, and analytics' role in sports, highlighting insights from his research and Coventry City Football Club.

Key points

  • The Science of Sports Performance. Michael Platt discusses how understanding brain signals can enhance athletic performance.
  • Talent Identification in Soccer. Platt explains the importance of identifying talent early for teams like Coventry City.
  • Mental Factors in Sports. The study reveals that different player roles require different mental attributes.

Tension

45/ 100Some tension

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