Virat Kohli has spoken about the connection between physical fitness and mental clarity, saying staying fit helps him visualise the game and execute his plans more effectively. After a recent high-impact ODI innings, Kohli explained that maintaining his physical condition gives him the freedom to approach batting with a clearer mind. “To follow a free mind, you need a fit body,” Kohli said, describing fitness as an important part of how he prepares to perform.

Kohli’s comments raise a broader question about whether physical activity can influence cognitive performance, decision-making and the body’s response to pressure. Dr Shifalika Goenka, Deputy Director at the Centre for Chronic Disease Control and a researcher in physical activity, said scientific research has identified several benefits associated with sustained physical activity across different stages of life. These benefits are not limited to physical strength or endurance and can also extend to areas such as cognitive function and mental well-being.

Physical activity requires the brain and body to work together, particularly in sports where decisions must be made rapidly. A batter, for example, has to judge the speed, movement and trajectory of a delivery before deciding how to respond. That process involves receiving information, assessing it and coordinating a physical action within a very short period. Regular physical activity has also been associated with benefits for memory and mental health, while helping the body respond to stress.

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One area that can be relevant to sporting performance is executive decision-making, which broadly refers to the ability to process information and make appropriate decisions efficiently. In cricket, players often have only a fraction of a second to react to changing conditions. Physical activity can support the combination of cognitive processing and physical response required in such situations, particularly in sports where athletes repeatedly have to make decisions based on rapidly changing inputs.

The relationship between fitness and stress response may also be important during high-pressure moments. According to Goenka, people who regularly engage in physical activity can show different physiological responses to stress, including lower releases of some stress hormones and smaller increases in heart rate in certain situations. For athletes, this can matter when fatigue, opposition pressure, crowd expectations and the significance of a match all combine to create demanding conditions.

The potential benefits of physical activity also extend beyond competitive sport. Research across age groups has linked sustained physical activity with aspects of cognitive health and mental well-being, including in older adults. Kohli’s experience therefore reflects a broader connection between physical preparation and mental performance: whether an athlete is reading a delivery, making a split-second decision or executing a planned shot, the brain and body operate together. His “fit body, free mind” approach is consistent with the wider scientific understanding that physical activity can influence both physical and cognitive functioning.

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