June 2023
in
Frontiers in Nutrition
To examine the influence of nutritional intake on visual perceptual-cognitive performance, measured by NeuroTracker, in young healthy adults.
98 healthy men (38) and women (60) aged 18–33 years maintained their usual dietary intake while completing NeuroTracker 15 sessions of NeuroTracker over a 15-day period. Food logs and extensive lifestyle measures including body composition, cardiovascular health, sleep and exercise patterns, and general readiness to perform were collected for analysis.
Males consumed significantly more calories, macronutrients, cholesterol, choline, and zinc and performed significantly better on NeuroTracker than the females. Participants who consumed more than 40% of kcals from carbohydrates, less than 24% of kcals from protein, more than 2,000 μg/day lutein/zeaxanthin or more than 1.8 mg/ day of vitamin B2 performed significantly better on NeuroTracker than those who consumed less than those amounts. The researchers concluded that perceptual-cognitive performance is positively influenced by higher carbohydrate, lutein/ zeaxanthin, and vitamin B2 dietary intake, while high protein consumption had negative impacts.
Intensive sports training may offset the perceptual–cognitive disadvantage associated with being relatively younger within an age cohort during childhood and adolescence.
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.
Dynamic visual tracking performance in young basketball players does not significantly decline following cognitive fatigue induced by a Stroop task.
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.
NeuroTracker 3D-MOT baseline performance was established using CORE sessions, and the intervention showed gains in tracking ability though broader performance transfer was limited.
To evaluate the effects of a vision training program — including 3D multiple object tracking (3D-MOT) as implemented in NeuroTracker — on perceptual-cognitive performance in an athletic or high-performance context.
Participants completed baseline NeuroTracker assessments using the standard CORE program (three CORE sessions and one sustained attention session) to establish baseline dynamic tracking speed thresholds. The training protocol involved repeated 3D-MOT sessions embedded within a broader vision training regimen. Performance was assessed pre- and post-training.
Baseline assessments used the NeuroTracker CORE protocol to quantify tracking thresholds. Post-training increases in baseline tracking performance were observed, suggesting that repeated 3D-MOT exposure enhanced basic perceptual-cognitive tracking ability. However, the pilot nature of the study and limited transfer to broader functional outcomes indicate that while 3D-MOT improves task-specific performance, the broader utility for real-world or sport performance remains preliminary.
Dark sweet cherry supplementation improved working memory in obese adults but did not enhance NeuroTracker-measured visual cognitive performance beyond practice-related gains.
To evaluate whether 30 days of dark sweet cherry (DSC) consumption improves executive function, NeuroTracker 3D-MOT performance, neuropeptide levels, and circadian rhythm biomarkers in adults with obesity.
Method
• Single-blind randomized controlled trial
• 40 adults with BMI 30–40 kg/m²
• DSC drink (200 mL twice daily) vs isocaloric placebo for 30 days
• Executive function assessed using TMT, Digit Span (forward/backward), and DSST
• Visual Cognitive Performance (VCP) assessed via 15 NeuroTracker CORE sessions
• Blood biomarkers: neurotensin, substance P, oxytocin, cortisol, melatonin
NeuroTracker performance was evaluated using speed threshold changes across baseline (sessions 1–3) and final (sessions 13–15) blocks.
Executive Function
• Significant improvements in Digit Span Forward (p = 0.006) and Backward (p = 0.01) in the DSC group
• No between-group differences in TMT or DSST
• Benefits were more pronounced in females and higher BMI subgroup
NeuroTracker (VCP)
• Both cherry and placebo groups improved significantly over 15 sessions (practice effect)
• No significant between-group differences
• Mean change (Δ) VCP: Cherry 0.26 vs Placebo 0.25 (p = 0.94)
Biomarkers
• Neurotensin increased significantly in placebo group only
• Melatonin increased significantly in placebo group only
• No significant treatment effects on cortisol or oxytocin
Baseline NeuroTracker performance was not significantly associated with overall season performance metrics in university varsity athletes.
To determine whether baseline NeuroTracker performance predicts overall season sport performance in university varsity athletes.
University varsity athletes completed baseline NeuroTracker assessments prior to their competitive season. Objective season performance statistics were collected and analyzed to evaluate potential associations between baseline perceptual-cognitive tracking ability and in-season performance outcomes.
No significant correlation was found between baseline NeuroTracker performance and overall season sport performance metrics. These findings suggest that baseline perceptual-cognitive tracking ability alone may not directly predict aggregate competitive outcomes, highlighting the multifactorial nature of sport performance.
Domain-specific cognitive training led to measurable improvements in executive function performance in youth elite soccer players.
To investigate whether domain-specific cognitive training can enhance executive function performance in youth elite soccer players.
Elite youth soccer players completed a structured cognitive training program targeting perceptual-cognitive and executive processes. Standardized executive function measures were administered before and after the intervention to assess changes in cognitive performance.
Participants demonstrated significant improvements in executive function measures following the training intervention, suggesting that structured cognitive training may enhance higher-order cognitive processes relevant to athletic performance. These findings support the potential value of targeted cognitive training approaches within elite youth sport development programs.
The #1 Most Scientifically Validated Cognitive Training System in the world. Built on 20 years of neuroscience research by leading authorities in their fields. Improve your brain and performance.
.png)