Michael Mackelvie Podcast Looking For Guys Who See Fast - Athletic Geniuses & Speeded Cognition with Dr. Scott Wylie
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Oct 24, 2025 Dr. Scott Wylie, a neuroscientist and co-founder of S2 Cognition, dives deep into the fascinating world of speeded cognition in elite athletes. He breaks down the cognitive processes behind split-second decision-making and discusses how unique tests for different sports reveal athletic intelligence. Tune in to learn how players perceive pitch cues, the importance of impulse control, and the intriguing idea that cognitive skills can be trained. Plus, Scott shares insights on how this research extends beyond sports to specialized fields like special forces.
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Cognition Vs. Intelligence
- Cognition covers sensing, perceiving, deciding, remembering, and attention across many tasks.
- Athletic split-second decisions use different fast networks than IQ-style reasoning.
Fast Processing Plus Higher-Order Control
- Elite athletes combine fast automatic processing with deliberate top-down control and anticipation.
- They monitor performance and can intervene when play breaks down.
LSU Test Revealed Different Brains
- S2 tested LSU's 109-man roster and flagged one athlete who excelled on fast-processing tasks but struggled academically.
- The team said he 'comes to life' on the field despite classroom struggles.
