Team sports require you to process a large stream of input information as a stream for a 1-2 hour window. In my experience (social league basketball, volleybal

Team sports require you to process a large stream of input information as a stream for a 1-2 hour window. In my experience (social league basketball, volleyball, soccer, mixed netball) I switch off subconscious (deep) thought processing and focus on handling the high volume of (shallow) inputs from reading other players movements, communicating audibly and feeling through touch/proprioception. Cycling and running (or hiking), especially solo and on quiet roads or trails does the opposite. You can process a much smaller amount of input information required for navigation and hazard avoidance in "autopilot" mode. This frees your mind to process your subconscious thoughts in a daydream like (meditative?) way. So to me, both activities are useful ways to modify my thought processes. Team sports let me switch off or de-prioritise my subconscious for a while. Cycling or running lets me work through a subconscious queue.