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To assess the inhibitory effects of physiological fatigue on cognitive function in elite athletes, and to determine if perceptual-cognitive conditioning can reduce any such effects.

22 rugby players from the Top 14 French Professional Rugby League were divided into two groups. The trained group underwent 15 NeuroTracker Core training sessions, and the untrained group did only 3 Core sessions (sitting) to determine an initial baseline measure. All the athletes were then assessed on NeuroTracker while performing on an exercise bike at 80% of their maximum heartrate.

For the trained group, NeuroTracker speed thresholds remained within 0.03% of the range of their baseline (performed sitting). For the untrained group, NeuroTracker speed thresholds dropped by 30% from their predicted baseline. Firstly, the findings suggest that physical fatigue can significantly reduce high-level cognitive functions elicited by the NeuroTracker task, even with seasoned professionals. Secondly, the results also indicate that such effects can be mitigated with prior perceptual-cognitive conditioning, with as little as 90 minutes of distributed training.

To review the existing perceptual-cognitive research and outline the relevance of NeuroTracker for the performance assessment and enhancement of competitive soccer abilities.

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Several papers published on NeuroTracker were reviewed, including ‘Perceptual-Cognitive Training of Athletes’, ‘3D-Multiple Object Tracking task performance improves passing decision-making accuracy in soccer players’, ‘Visual tracking speed is related to Basketball-specific measures of performance in NBA players’, and ‘Enhancing Cognitive Function Using Perceptual-Cognitive Training’.

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The combined existing research provides significant evidence for the usefulness of perceptualcognitive training to assess and enhance soccer abilities. Cognitive abilities are a significant feature of athletic excellence, and elite soccer players differ in their superior perceptual abilities in comparison to amateur players. NeuroTracker training has been found to improve high-level cognitive abilities known to be central factors in predicting soccer performance. Specifically, research has demonstrated that after just 3 hours of 3D multiple object tracking training, soccer players’ experienced a dramatic reduction in passing errors, from an error rate of 47%, down to just 28%.

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To examine the role of working memory and visual attention for tracking expertise in different sports.

Two experiments were performed. In the experiment 1 (assessment-only), 31 male and female experienced athletes were divided into high-tracking and low-tracking sports, e.g. soccer vs swimming. They completed 3 assessment blocks (9 trials each) of the Jardine and Seiffert 2D MOT task, using 2, 3 and 4 targets at slow, medium and fast fixed speeds. Eye tracking behavior was recorded during the task. In experiment 2, 36 participants (similar to experiment 1) were divided into a control and active group. Pre and post training, both groups completed the same 2D MOT assessment with eye tracking, as well as 2 types of n-back working memory assessments (combined visual and auditory demands). The active group completed a training intervention of 4 NeuroTracker sessions (20 trials each), using adaptive speed adjustments, whereas the controls did not.

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In Experiment 1, analysis of eye tracking data revealed that directing gaze towards the center of the screen was a beneficial strategy for achieving higher tracking performance. High tracking sports showed superior tracking performance overall. In experiment 2, the active group experienced a large improvement in both NeuroTracker scores and working memory performance post-training, including a 35% increase WM accuracy. Training also transferred to significantly improved performance on the 2D MOT assessment. Controls showed no significant changes in pre-post assessments.

To examine whether individuals who play video games at a professional level in the esports industry differ from amateur video game players in their cognitive and learning abilities.

14 elite professional gamers and 16 casual video game players were assessed on a battery of standard neuropsychological tests evaluating processing speed, attention, memory, executive functions, and manual dexterity. In addition, both groups completed 15 distributed NeuroTracker sessions to assess dynamic visual attention and learning abilities.

Professional players showed the largest performance advantage relative to amateur players for visual spatial memory (Spatial Span), and with more modest benefits for selective and sustained attention (d2 Test of Attention), and auditory working memory (Digit Span). Professional players also had greatly higher initial speed thresholds on NeuroTracker, with the advantage increasing marginally over the 15 sessions. Overall, the cognitive assessments differentiated the professional and amateur groups, however there was negligible correlation with these results in terms of gaming experience in either group. In conclusion, standardized cognitive assessments revealed some elevated abilities of pro gamers, however NeuroTracker baselines and learning rates provided much more sensitive comparative measures.

To investigate if an unsupervised remote NeuroTracker training intervention could subjectively improve performance outcomes with elite athletes across a range of different sports.

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54 elite athletes from boxing, wrestling, women’s handball, women’s soccer, orienteering, biathlon, alpine skiing, sled hockey, badminton and table tennis completed at least four NeuroTracker sessions per week over a 5 week period. The athletes trained independently from the researchers, using personal NeuroTracker accounts. They were also not given any instructions on the training, to avoid potential biases. All the athletes completed pre and post Athlete Satisfaction Questionnaires (7 point Likert scale), to self-assess their current performance status.

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Almost all the participants completed at least the minimum of 4 NeuroTracker sessions per week, indicating a high compliance. On average the athletes experienced an improvement in normalized NeuroTracker speed thresholds of 39% by the end of the 5 weeks. The results of Athlete Satisfaction Questionnaires showed an improvement from a rating of 18.9, to 19.2.

This study measured the capacity of older participants to improve their tracking speed thresholds (NeuroTracker), to investigate if age related cognitive decline can be reversed with a training intervention known to be directly relevant to the effects of healthy aging.

20 healthy younger adults (mean age 24 years old) and 20 healthy older adults (mean age 67 years old) performed 15 NeuroTracker training sessions distributed over 5 weeks.

Both groups obtained benefit from training with a similar rate of progression. Though the older group started off at a significantly lower level than the younger group, they obtained speed thresholds that were similar to those of untrained younger adults by the end of the training program. Furthermore, towards the end of the training program the rate of learning appeared to have slowed for the younger group, yet the older group still showed a strong learning curve, suggesting greater improvements with continued training. In conclusion, although healthy older people show a significant age-related deficit in the NeuroTracker task, they respond strongly to training effects and demonstrate an ability to fully reverse age-related functional decline with a short intervention of NeuroTracker training.

To compare the efficacy of NeuroTracker training for concentration and game performance to conventional training.

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21 university basketball athletes were divided into a NeuroTracker training group (12 sessions) or a conventional training group. The Concentration Grid Test was used to measure concentration, and FIBA-Live Stats were collected to evaluate the game statistics and athlete performance, both pre- and post-training.

NeuroTracker training resulted in 42% greater improvement in post-training Concentration Grid Test results, compared to conventional training. No substantial improvements in game performance were found with either form of training.

To analyze the repeated effect of stroboscopic vision training on perceptual-cognitive and anticipation skills in soccer players.

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28 male soccer players randomized into two groups: Stroboscopic vision training and control groups. The trained group completed 8-weeks of stroboscopic training. Pre post assessments were completed for both groups, which included NeuroTracker baselines and assessments decision-making and anticipation skills.

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Both groups improved by similar amounts in NeuroTracker baselines and decision-making. However the trained group showed a larger improvement in anticipation skill than the control group. The findings suggest that stroboscopic vision training does not improve perceptual-cognitive functions or decision-making, but may aid anticipation skills in soccer athletes.

To evaluate perceptual cognitive abilities among male and female adolescents and determine if undiscovered gender differences in athletes’ perceptual cognitive abilities exist.

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40 nonathletes (20 boys and 20 girls) and 40 athletes (21 boys and 19 girls) aged 17-24 years old completed a short questionnaire about their sports practice. All participants then completed three NeuroTracker sessions.

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The findings confirm the superior perceptual cognitive abilities in young athletes relative to nonathletes. However, results also indicate differences in performance patterns between male and female athletes, with male athletes achieving the highest tracking speeds but female athletes showing faster adaptation to the task by the 3rd session. These results demonstrate that sports engagement and perceptual cognitive abilities are strongly related during adolescence and that this relationship seems more prevalent in athletes for this age group.