Circular logic. The "zone" is loosely defined as being a state where you perform better than you normally could...so saying that studies show that "in the zone" you perform better is like saying "studies show that tall people are tall". It doesn't mean anything.
Meanwhile...on the Internet, saying "studies show" by itself is also meaningless and is basically like saying "I heard this story somewhere but I can't back it up so I am just going to pretend it comes from authoritative sources". If studies show something, then link them.
I was just researching about the zone and what it does. Studies show that in the zone senses could be hightened and you could perform much better at what you do best or that which you have practiced for a long time. Also, there are attenuating factors which could result in one entering the zone. To say that when you play better than usual and your plays are stronger, but yet, you do not know why it had happened, my friend you had just entered the zone. Remembering what triggered it could lead to you entering it at times of need.
Interesting, isn't it!
What do you feel about it? Please share your experiences if you ever felt like you entered the ZONE.