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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.

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 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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This case report sought to examine in detail the effects of a combined intervention program (NeuroTracker and Memory Training) for recovering memory and attentional functions in an older individual.

1 healthy 80 year old male with frequent memory complaints underwent 32 NeuroTracker sessions of Sustain mode over 12 months, alongside Memory Training based on consciously learned mnemonic strategies. The patient completed a robust pre-mid-post training battery of tests on memory, quality of life and stress.

At the post-assessment stage, training proved effective for gains in sustained and alternatingattention, with above-average cognitive flexibility. Assessments for memory accuracy and processingspeeds showed a steadily rising curve. Improvements were evident in self-perceived attention,memory, quality of life and self-confidence. A reduction in stress symptoms was observed withmeasured improvements in physical, psychological and environmental domains. NeuroTracker scoresshowed a rising curve throughout the training program.Based on the case report findings, the researchers suggested such cognitive training programs shouldbe made available in private and public institutions for elderly care to improve quality of life and delaythe signs of senility during the aging process.

To investigate if comprehensive physical and cognitiveassessments can help improve the competitive performance of elite mountainsrunners.

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7 male international-standard mountain runners undertook a battery of physiological and biological tests (blood and urine biochemistry, VO2Max, EKG), along with a NeuroTracker baseline assessment, both at the beginning and end of a competitive season. Systematized medical analyses of the initial data was used to tailor each athlete's ongoing performance programs. In addition, the athletes undertook a NeuroTracker training intervention of 42 sessions across the competitive season. The same post-season battery of assessments along with competition results were analyzed to the determine effects of the adapted training programs.

All athletes' race results improved over previous years' performances. Moderate post-season improvements were seen across the physiological and biological tests from the adapted performance programs. NeuroTracker post-season baselines also improved dramatically, with scores increasing by +75% over pre-season baselines. The researchers concluded the NeuroTracker intervention demonstrated that perceptual–cognitive skills were perfectly trainable and could improve sports performance.

To examine the effects of 14-days ATP supplementation (adenosine 5′-triphosphate) on NeuroTracker visual tracking speed, reaction time, mood and cognition in a double-blind crossover study.

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22 adults were randomized to either an active PeakATP® group or a placebo control group and supplemented for 14-days. They then tested on 3 minutes of maximum intensity cycling. Pre, immediately post, and 60-minutes post, all participants completed a NeuroTracker baseline, a visuomotor reaction test (Dynavision D2), a Profile of Mood States Questionnaire and a cognition assessment (ANAM). After another 14 days of no supplementation, the active and control groups were then reversed and the whole procedure was repeated.

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NeuroTracker results improved on the second testing procedure, however average differences between active and control groups were negligible. No significant interactions were found on the other assessments, apart from reaction time performance, which improved meaningfully with post ATP supplementation. The results suggest ATP may help decrease fatigue related effects from intense bouts of exercise, but not higher-level cognitive functions.

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 compare the visual tracking performance of professional as well as amateur eSport players and traditional sportsmen using NeuroTracker.

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19 professional players, 22 amateur players and 18 traditional sportsmen completed 3 NeuroTracker sessions. The first session was completed in 2D (non-stereo), and sessions 2 and 3 were completed in 3D (stereo). Experience and playtime data was also collected for analysis.

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Professional players spent significantly more time playing esports than amateurs. Pearson correlations revealed positive associations between hours of esport / week and NeuroTracker scores. Mean session score averages across each session consistently found esport professional to have the highest NeuroTracker performance, following by traditional sportsmen. Analysis of prior NeuroTracker research showed that session scores for all three groups were higher than the scores of the normal population.

To investigate if cognitive training programs can reduce expected cognitive decline associated with aging.

44 participants of 60 years or older were equally divided into an experimental (with NeuroTracker) and a comparative group (without NeuroTracker) and completed 12 training sessions per week. Both groups practiced mnemonic memory training techniques. Pre and post assessments were also conducted, including a a sociodemographic questionnaire, neuropsychological assessment and NeuroTracker pre and post baseline measures.

Both groups experienced some benefits from the memory training, however only the NeuroTracker trained group achieved transfer benefits for attention, reaction time, visual processing speed, episodic, semantic, subjective and working memory as well as aspects of social cognition. The researchers concluded that NeuroTracker with memory training contributed to significantly improved cognitive performance over memory training alone, and that more research should be conducted for elderly populations with and without cognitive deficits.