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To investigate the relationship of executive functions and physical abilities in youth and adult elite soccer players.

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172 elite soccer players (12–34 years of age) were assessed on NeuroTracker, working memory capacity, cognitive flexibility, and inhibition. Another series of tests measured endurance-performance, repeated intense exercises, and maximal anaerobic performance.

NeuroTracker results correlated meaningfully with 30M sprint ability and counter-movement jumps. Moderate correlations were found between working memory capacity and cognitive flexibility with sprint performance and jumping ability, and inhibition with repeated intense exercises. Overall the findings indicated that anaerobic sprinting and jumping are more closely linked to cognitive skills than other physical abilities.

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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 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 examine if NeuroTracker training transfers to useful field of view (UFOV) performance, a measure strongly associated with driving performance.

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Twenty healthy young adults between the ages of 23 and 33 years were recruited and evenly assigned to either a NeuroTracker training program or active control group using a math game (2048). Both groups completed 5 hours of training distributed over 5 weeks. Both groups completed pre-post standardized assessments of UFOV.

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The NeuroTracker training group exhibited significantly improved UFOV performance, whereas the active control group showed only a small, statistically nonsignificant improvement in the task. The researchers suggest that NeuroTracker and UFOV performance are likely dependent on overlapping cognitive abilities, and that these abilities can be trained and measured in young adults which could lead to improving driving safety.

Several studies have shown that aerobic exercise can slow age-related cognitive decline, and in some cases, improve cognitive function in the older population. The purpose of this study was to investigate for the first time, the effects of resistance training on cognitive function, as measured by changes in NeuroTracker measures.

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25 older adults with a mean age of 70yrs were split into a trained group (6 weeks of resistance exercises), and an untrained group. Perceptual-cognitive ability was measured pre and post training using NeuroTracker baselines.

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The older adults who performed six weeks of resistance training experienced significant improvements in perceptual-cognitive function as measured by NeuroTracker. Resistance training may therefore be an effective means to slow age related cognitive decline.

To evaluate the effectiveness and transfer of an NeuroTracker training on visual and executive functions in youth elite soccer players.

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29 elite youth soccer players were recruited and divided into training and control groups. Visual and executive functions were analyzed in a pre–post test design with both groups doing regular soccer training, and the trained group also completing 10 weeks of NeuroTracker training twice a week. Transfer assessments included tests with the Senaptec Sensory Station, the Trail Making Test, and the Design Fluency test.

Large differences in NeuroTracker initial baselines were found both between the groups, and within the groups. For the trained group, initial baselines were strongly correlated with improvement rates. Assessments show gains for both groups in working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibition, metacognition, MOT, attention window and processing speed, but only measures inhibition, visual clarity showed advantages specific to the trained group. The researchers recommended studies with a dual-task training intervention and larger number of participants may be needed to reveal training effects for this population.

To investigate if NeuroTracker learning rates can characterize different neurodevelopmental conditions in children.

The researchers focused on three different neurodevelopmental conditions: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Specific learning disorder (SLD), and Intellectual developmental disorder (IDD). 101 participants aged 6 to 17 years old completed a total of 30 NeuroTracker sessions over a period of 5 weeks, along with standardized neuropsychological assessments to confirm each neurodevelopmental diagnosis.

Progression in NeuroTracker scores throughout the training program were scientifically analyzed using a latent growth curve modeling technique. This analysis revealed 1) a decreased baseline performance for children with IDD along with slower initial learning rates, 2) children with ADHD and SLD demonstrate a reduced rate of longer-term learning, 3) a significant overlap exists between individuals diagnosed with ADHD and SLD.

To determine whether visuo-attentional and executive capacities measured by multiple object tracking and related cognitive tasks are associated with take-over performance in a highly automated driving simulation.

Participants completed a battery of cognitive assessments including 3D multiple object tracking (NeuroTracker), executive function measures, and additional visuo-attentional tasks. These measures were correlated with performance outcomes in a high-fidelity driving simulator requiring participants to take over control from automated driving under risk-relevant conditions.

Higher dynamic tracking performance and stronger executive functioning were associated with greater take-over success in the simulated automated driving scenarios. These findings suggest that perceptual-cognitive abilities measured by 3D-MOT paradigms relate to practical visuomotor tasks beyond sport contexts, including safety-critical driving behaviors.

To investigate of NeuroTracker baselines can be a predictor of air traffic control task performance.

46 participants completed 2 hours of assessments including a NeuroTracker baseline, the Corsi Block Tapping and Automated Operation Span tests, followed by a simulated air traffic control task.

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After controlling for age and video game playing, NeuroTracker baselines significantly predicted correct detections of conflicts between aircraft, fewer false alarm responses to conflicts, and faster aircraft acceptance and hand-off performance. NeuroTracker was a stronger predictor of these outcomes, than the Corsi Block Tapping and Automated Operation Span tests. The researchers concluded that the findings demonstrate that NeuroTracker and could be useful for applicant screening and selection of air traffic control personnel.