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What mind-body States Drive Elite Victory?!Individualized hormone–performance relationship & regulation 
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We investigated the mind–body states that support winning in elite athletes by examining how pre-race hormonal states relate to performance in professional Formula car drivers in real competitions. Hormonal profile linked to high performance varies across individuals, suggesting that there is no single optimal competitive state for all athletes. Using field data collected at actual race events, we also established a practical method to predict and adjust competition-relevant hormone states. In one case, where lower cortisol was associated with better performance, a short pre-race nap successfully reduced the athlete's cortisol level. These findings may enable individualized psychophysiological adjustment strategies for high-pressure performance settings with potential benefits for athletic performance and coaching theory.
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Seiji Matsumura, Embodied Intelligence Research Group, Human Information Science Laboratory