Young Basketball Players’ Multiple Object Tracking Skills Were Unaffected by Stroop-Induced Mental Fatigue

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 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.

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.

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.

To examine whether improvements in 3D-MOT performance transfer to objective in-game performance outcomes in competitive soccer players.

Youth soccer athletes completed a structured 3D-MOT training program across multiple sessions. Pre- and post-training NeuroTracker performance was measured, alongside objective game performance statistics collected during competitive play to evaluate potential transfer effects.

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While participants demonstrated significant improvements in 3D-MOT speed thresholds following training, no corresponding improvements were observed in match-based performance metrics. These findings suggest that gains in perceptual-cognitive tracking ability may not automatically translate to measurable in-game performance outcomes under competitive conditions.

To investigate whether dynamic visual tracking performance measured using a 3D multiple object tracking task differs across basketball players of varying competitive skill levels.

Basketball athletes from different performance tiers completed a 3D-MOT task designed to assess dynamic visual attention and tracking speed thresholds. Performance metrics were compared between higher- and lower-level players to determine whether tracking ability scales with competitive expertise.

Higher-level basketball players demonstrated significantly superior tracking performance compared to lower-level players, achieving faster speed thresholds and more stable tracking under dynamic conditions. These findings support the link between perceptual-cognitive capacity and competitive skill level, reinforcing the role of dynamic attention in high-performance sport.