How do we use information? Is AI adding useful information or more?
Life throws a firehose of information at us daily. Separate "signal" from "noise."
Author Fergus Connolly, a Human Performance Expert, writes an article about the Fallacy of AI. Performance isn't about acquiring the most information, it's about applying what works best for our organization.
Two points stand out for me:
1. Better is better.
That's not necessarily more or less. It's better. Judge ideas on merit, not the source.
During the 2015 NBA Finals, 28 year-old Warriors video guy Nick U'Ren suggested to Coach Steve Kerr that video showed the Warriors might matchup better with a small lineup, Iguodala over Bogut. Kerr made the change and Golden State rallied to defeat Cleveland.
2. Does it impact winning?
Organizations become wedded to "that's the way we do it." If it wins, keep doing it. Brian McCormick wrote a series of Fake Fundamentals books exploring which traditional drills didn't impact winning and advised coaches to ditch them.
One author suggested that players shouldn't use cellphones on game day because it changed their visual and mental focus.
Here's the skinny from AI:
There is indeed a growing body of evidence—both experimental and observational—that suggests refraining from smartphone or cellphone use around training sessions or competition (e.g., game day) can help preserve athletes' focus, cognitive function, and even performance. Here's what research highlights:
Evidence from Controlled Studies
1. Mental Fatigue & Decision-Making
A controlled study with professional male soccer players found that 30 minutes of smartphone app exposure led to mental fatigue and a significant decline in passing decision-making performance during simulated matches. The Physical Movement+8YSBR+8TIME+8The Guardian+4ResearchGate+4ScienceDirect+4.
In volleyball, young athletes using social media immediately before training experienced mental fatigue and impaired anticipatory effort. PMC+1.
2. Physical & Technical Performance in Footballers
Another controlled experiment involving adolescents found reduced physical endurance and worsened technical skills (like passing accuracy) after 30 minutes of smartphone-induced mental fatigue. DMT&E Center+12Efsupit+12ResearchGate+12.
3. Cognitive & Reaction Impairments Across Sports
A broader review emphasized that across sports—including football, volleyball, swimming, boxing—pre-activity smartphone or social media use leads to mental fatigue, which lowers decision-making accuracy, slows reaction time, and increases errors. YSBR.
4. Training Adaptation and Long-Term Effects
In volleyball players over four weeks, those engaging in social media before sessions showed no improvement in decision-making metrics, while control groups (e.g., watching neutral content) did. TIME+14YSBR+14PMC+14.
In swimming, avoiding pre-training social media use correlated with measurable gains in endurance, race times, and cognitive control—results not mirrored by those who used social media. YSBR.
Mechanisms: Why Phone Use Can Be Detrimental
Cognitive Distraction and Mental Fatigue
Engaging with social media or apps involves rapid micro-decisions, emotional content, and fragmented attention—depleting cognitive reserves essential for game-time focus. YSBR+2Tuition Rewards+2.
Sleep Disruption
Evening phone use—especially screens or social media—disrupts melatonin production and sleep quality, which indirectly diminishes recovery and performance readiness. YSBRNature.
Cognitive Bottlenecks
Media multitasking (e.g., using phones while preparing for play) slows reaction times and impairs attention switching, reducing performance efficacy. Wikipedia.
Presence Alone Can Distract
Even just having a phone visible, without using it, can diminish performance on complex tasks—suggesting phones may remain mental distractions until out of sight. TIME+1.
Bottom Line: Does Avoiding Cellphone Use Help?
Yes—there is clear evidence supporting the idea that abstaining from smartphone or social media use before training or competition:
It helps preserve decision-making accuracy and cognitive focus.
It potentially ensures better physical and technical performance, especially in skill-dependent sports.
It supports optimal recovery and sleep quality, indirectly bolstering performance sustainability.
Practical Takeaways for Athletes and Coaches
Implement “phone-free” zones during pre-game preparations and training warm-ups.
Encourage downtime before key sessions—replace spontaneous scrolling with relaxation or mental visualization.
Discourage evening phone use, especially on social media, to protect sleep and recovery.
Remind athletes that even a visible phone can sap focus, so stashing it away matters.
Lagniappe. Make work cool.
“Hard work is cool,” Marcus Freeman
— The Winning Difference (@thewinningdiff1) August 3, 2025
Grit builds habits.
Habits build standards.
Standards build winners. pic.twitter.com/tp5UHlWaFb
