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To examine whether relative age (birth quartile), training background, and stereopsis influence perceptual–cognitive performance measured using a 3D multiple object tracking (3D-MOT) task in youth athletes.

A total of 165 male youth athletes aged 10–16 years were categorized by birth quartile and training exposure (moderately trained: 1–2 sessions/week; well-trained: 4–5 sessions/week). Participants completed a standard NeuroTracker 3D-MOT protocol under both stereoscopic (3D) and non-stereoscopic (2D) conditions. Speed thresholds were calculated using an adaptive staircase procedure and compared across groups.

Among moderately trained athletes, those born earlier in the selection year outperformed relatively younger peers, demonstrating a perceptual–cognitive Relative Age Effect. However, in well-trained athletes, performance differences between birth quartiles disappeared, with later-born athletes achieving comparable tracking thresholds. Performance was significantly higher in 3D versus 2D conditions, but stereopsis did not interact with birth quartile or training status.

These findings suggest that structured training exposure may mitigate perceptual–cognitive disadvantages associated with relative age during development.

To to determine whether a hydration plan based off of an athlete’s sweat rate and sodium loss, improves anaerobic and neurocognitive performance during a moderate to hard training session, as well as heart rate recovery from the session.

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15 NCAA collegiate athletes from Merrimack College from multiple sports first underwent a qualitative assessment for hydration habits and knowledge, then were assessed for sweat loss, and randomly assigned to either a prescription hydration plan (PHP) or asked to continue with their normal hydration habits (NHP). All participants completed underwent performance assessments prior, during, and immediately after a moderate to hard sports-specific training session. Assessments included NeuroTracker baselines, standing long jump, heart rate and Vo2 Max monitoring, as well as sodium and sweat loss monitoring.

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NeuroTracker baselines provided a clear indication that a prescription hydration plan has a significantly better influence on perceptual-cognitive functions, both pre and post physical training, compared to a normal hydration plan. Overall, the researchers conclude that this is the first investigation to show that an individually tailored hydration plan improves athletic performance for collegiate athletes engaged in a variety of sports.

To assess transfer from a NeuroTracker training intervention to near, mid-level, far transfer tasks.

84 graduate participants (av. 21 years old) were randomized to 3 trained groups and 1 passive control group. The trained groups completed either 5 or 3 standard sessions of NeuroTracker, or 5 sessions of a portable version of NeuroTracker (Microsoft Surface Pro tablet). The passive group completed only pre-post NeuroTracker baselines. All groups then completed pre-post assessments on a simplified 2D multiple object tracking task, an N-back working memory assessment, and on a video-based military driving task.

All trained groups showed significant improvements in NeuroTracker scores from 20-30 minutes of training. The passive control group also showed some modest improvements from only completing baselines. NeuroTracker training transferred to significant pre-post improvements in the 2D multiple object tracking test, but with smaller effects that improvements in NeuroTracker scores. Performance was found to be significantly better post-training for the trained groups on the working memory test, but not for the control group. No transfer effects were found for the video-based military task.

To combine several tests known to assess driving fitness and propose a methodology to bring these together under a single index termed the ‘Driver’s Safety Index’.

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115 licensed drivers between the ages of 18 and 86 were separated into two groups: 64 young participants (average age of 29 years), and 51 older participants (average age of 77 years). Each participant was assessed on three different experimental phases. 1. Visual tests: visual acuity test (V1), stereoscopic vision test (V2), and a binocular visual field test (V3). 2. Simulator driving tests across 3 difficulty based scenarios: highway (low), rural (medium) and city (high). 3. NeuroTracker as a visuo-cognitive test. A wide range of driving performance metrics from the simulator test were analyzed for correlations with the visual tests, age, and NeuroTracker scores.

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There were limited correlations between driving performance and the visual tests. High NeuroTracker scores correlated strongly with high driving performance, and low scores with low driving performance, along with a strong relationship for crash risk. NeuroTracker scores were also a better predictor of driving performance than age. Driving abilities are strongly associated with NeuroTracker scores. These findings highlight the importance of visuo-cognitive abilities in the assessment of driving abilities. This study paves the way toward a single, common indicator of driving behaviour. The study authors recommend that NeuroTracker should be a component in the battery of tests for obtaining or renewing a driving license.

To investigate how multiple object tracking abilities (NeuroTracker) may enhance strategies for maintaining spatial awareness and optimal player performance in soccer. Additionally, to examine the relationship between aerobic capacity and multiple object tracking capacity.

7 competitive female soccer players completed a 90-minute intermittent soccer performance test (iSPT) on a Curve™ non-motorized treadmill (cNMT) with monitoring of VO2max. This involved six individualized running, jogging or walking speeds, and a half-time period, to simulate demands in soccer competition. NeuroTracker baselines were completed three times during each half of the iSPT.

The fatigue associated with 90 minutes of soccer specific running negatively influenced running performance during the second half. However, increased aerobic capacity appears to be associated with an attenuation of cognitive decline during 90-minutes of soccer specific running. Results of this study indicate the importance of aerobic capacity on maintaining spatial awareness during a match.

To investigate whether acute cognitive fatigue, induced via a Stroop task, affects multiple object tracking performance in young basketball athletes.

Participants were young basketball players who completed a standard Stroop task designed to induce cognitive fatigue. After the Stroop protocol, participants were assessed on a 3D multiple object tracking (3D-MOT) task to evaluate perceptual-cognitive tracking performance under fatigued cognitive conditions. Performance on the NeuroTracker task was compared between the fatigue condition and either baseline or control conditions.

Participants’ 3D-MOT performance did not show a significant decrement following Stroop-induced cognitive fatigue. Dynamic tracking thresholds and accuracy remained statistically similar across the fatigued and non-fatigued conditions, suggesting that the athletes’ perceptual-cognitive tracking ability was resilient to this laboratory-induced mental fatigue protocol.

To synthesize current evidence on the multi-object tracking (MOT) paradigm as both an assessment tool and a cognitive training intervention, with a focus on transfer effects and underlying perceptual-cognitive mechanisms.

The authors reviewed experimental and applied studies using MOT and 3D-MOT (including NeuroTracker) paradigms across cognitive science, sports, aging, and clinical research contexts. The review evaluated task parameters, cognitive mechanisms engaged, and evidence for near and far transfer outcomes following MOT training.

The review found consistent evidence supporting near-transfer effects of MOT training on attentional processes, processing speed, and visuospatial tracking. Evidence for far transfer to broader executive functions, sport performance, and real-world tasks was more variable and dependent on study design and contextual factors. The authors conclude that while MOT paradigms reliably engage core perceptual-cognitive systems, further research is needed to clarify mechanisms and optimize transfer to applied domains.

To assess the extent to which action video game players perform better than non-gamers on cognitive functions measured by NeuroTracker and neuropsychological assessments.

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14 professional and 16 amateur action video game players completed a battery of 7 standardized neuropsychological assessments, a manual dexterity test, and 14 NeuroTracker sessions. Statistical analysis techniques were used to compare cognitive differences.

Analysis revealed that high performance in professional action video games players is associated with enhanced abilities in visual spatial attention, visual and auditory short-term memory, and selective and sustained attention. No significant differences between professionals and amateurs were evident on tasks evaluating executive functions, perceptual manipulation, or manual dexterity. Although both groups displayed a similar learning capacity to improve at NeuroTracker over 90-mins of training, professionals exhibited a distinct performance advantage throughout the intervention. The results overall suggest that elite action video gamers have superior attentional control.

To enhance the visual perception ability of motorcycle taxi riders by using a NeuroTracker training intervention.

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60 motorcycle taxi riders were volunteers and recruited from Chonburi, Thailand, and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group completed 30-minutes of NeuroTracker training sessions for twice a week over five weeks in total. Pre-post assessments of the Development Test of Visual Perception – Adolescent and Adult (DTVP-A) were completed by both groups.

Results revealed that the experimental group had a significantly higher visual perception ability score after training. In addition, the average DTVP-A score in the experimental group increased to significantly higher than that of the control group. The study findings suggest NeuroTracker training can improve the visual perception ability of motorcycle taxi riders.