Dr Nathanael Ong, a lecturer who specialises in sport and exercise psychology, said that when it comes to athletes, cognitive reserve and a person’s ability to adapt – known as “psychological flexibility” – are two distinct concepts.
The two concepts are connected in that both contribute to a person’s overall resilience and adaptability.
He explained that cognitive reserve refers to the brain’s ability to maintain cognitive function despite damage or ageing and is typically discussed in a neurological context.
“Psychological flexibility is used more in a behavioural context to describe the individual’s ability to adapt and change to situational demands.”
Dr Ong, who teaches at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, said that in high-pressure moments, psychological flexibility is a vital skill that “allows athletes to out-manoeuvre opponents in critical moments and helps them recover more quickly from challenges or obstacles they may face”.
Sport and exercise psychologist Alexandria Olton said: “In fast-paced sports, the dynamics can shift rapidly such as going from leading the game to chasing points.
“(Psychological flexibility) equips players with the tools to adjust their strategies, enabling them to move forward rather than dwell on past performance.”
WHAT FACTORS AFFECT COGNITIVE RESERVE?
Reflecting on how my former co-worker handled stressful situations better than I did, I wondered whether some people are simply born with that ability, or if I could develop my own cognitive reserve to reach her level.
Ms Eunice Seah, a clinical psychologist with her own private practice at InPsyche Journeys Psychological Growth & Discovery, said that cognitive reserve is influenced by both genes and life experiences, as research suggests.
“Factors like higher education, job complexity, intelligence, and engaging in mentally and socially stimulating activities can strengthen cognitive reserve,” she added.
Agreeing, Dr Annabelle Chow, a principal clinical psychologist at Annabelle Psychology clinic, said that nature and nurture play important roles in shaping cognitive reserve.
Structurally and genetically, factors such as the estimated size of a person’s brain and white matter provide a foundation for cognitive reserve. White matter, consisting of nerve fibres in the brain, play a part in processes such as learning and memory.
“Our cognitive abilities such as literacy, vocabulary, intelligence and the experiences we gain through learning, education, social interactions and work all contribute to this reserve,” Dr Chow added.
