July 24, 2023
Dr. Bradford Strand, 1978 Mayville State University graduate and Portland, N.D. native, has recently published Optimal Sports Performance. In the book, Strand lays out a model for helping athletes of all ages understand and learn how to reach optimal performance. He provides athletes with the tools to practice smarter, think faster, and play better.
According to Dr. Strand, optimal performance in sport occurs when athletes can focus their attention on relevant information, processes, and behaviors; while, at the same time, blocking out distracting or irrelevant cues. Throughout the book, Strand identifies action triggers that assist athletes in better understanding the challenges of their sport.
Readers will complete preloaded responses which help eliminate decision paralysis in challenging situations. Strand recommends identifying preloaded responses to free up mental bandwidth and make response reflexive and automatic, allowing the athlete to focus on other aspects of a game or contest.
Dr. Bradford Strand earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education at Mayville State University, master’s degree in physical education from North Dakota State University, and his doctorate at the University of New Mexico. He is a professor of health, nutrition, and exercise sciences at NDSU.
Strand has conducted hundreds of presentations, workshops and demonstrations and is the lead author of four books. He has published numerous professional articles and abstracts on physical education, fitness education, youth sport, ethics and fairness in sport, leadership, and technology in physical education and secured more than $1.15 million in grants and contracts.
He has served on 18 national boards and received many professional honors, including Distinguished Administrator Award from the National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education; Scholar of the Year Award for the Central District of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; the Distinguished Alumni Award from Mayville State University and an alumni honor award from the University of New Mexico. He has been awarded Fellow Status in the National Academy of Kinesiology and the National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education. Strand has served as president of the National Association of Physical Education and Sport and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (now knows as SHAPE America).
Optimal Sports Performance is available for sale at Amazon.com.