Cognitive Performance, Erector Spinae Endurance, Gluteus Maximus, Hamstrings, Neuroathletic Training, Posterior Chain Muscle Strength, Proprioception
Conditions
Brief summary
Neuroathletic training is an innovative approach aimed at enhancing neurophysiological processes to improve motor control, reflex responses, balance, proprioception, and cognitive functions. While this method has shown promise in athletes, its acute effects on non-athletic individuals remain underexplored. The posterior chain (gluteus maximus, hamstrings, and erector spinae) plays a critical role in postural stability, movement, and injury prevention. Weakness in these muscles, coupled with poor balance and proprioception, may increase injury risk. Additionally, cognitive performance, including attention and reaction time, is vital for functional activities and may be enhanced through neuroathletic interventions. This study seeks to address the gap in understanding the acute effects of neuroathletic training on non-athletic individuals, providing evidence to support its integration into rehabilitation and injury prevention programs.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALNeuroathletic Training Protocol
This intervention involves a 20-minute neuroathletic training session using the Z-Health® kit. It includes visual reset exercises (eye massage, palming), star chart eye muscle training, saccade training with letter cards, convergence-divergence drills using Brock string, vestibular activation through lunges, spinal and hip extension exercises, slap tap coordination drills, and use of pinhole glasses. The aim is to stimulate sensory pathways and enhance neuromotor readiness acutely.
BEHAVIORALStandard Warm-Up Protocol
This 20-minute warm-up consists of two components: 10 minutes of light walking at a moderate pace and 10 minutes of dynamic stretching (leg swings, hip flexor stretches, knee hugs, high knees, butt kicks, arm circles, and trunk rotations). It is intended to mimic standard pre-activity routines and serves as the comparator condition.
Sponsors
Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
The outcomes assessors, responsible for conducting and analyzing measurements (e.g., muscle strength, balance, proprioception, and cognitive tests), will be blinded to the group allocation of participants to minimize bias in data collection and interpretation. Participants, care providers, and investigators will not be blinded due to the nature of the intervention, which requires active participation and specific instructions for neuroathletic training or standard warm-up protocols.
Intervention model description
Parallel group design with two arms (experimental and control). Participants are randomly assigned to either the neuroathletic training group or the standard warm-up control group. Each group undergoes a single 20-minute intervention session, with outcomes measured at baseline, immediately post-intervention, 15 minutes post-intervention, and 30 minutes post-intervention. This design allows for direct comparison of the acute effects of neuroathletic training versus a standard warm-up protocol on the specified outcomes.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Age 18-30 years. * No regular physical activity in the past 6 months (IPAQ Short Form: physical activity level \>3000 MET-min/week excluded). * Body Mass Index (BMI) 18.5-24.9 kg/m². * No history of lower extremity injury or neurological conditions. * Ability to perform study tests and exercises. * Written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
* Acute injury in the past 6 months. * Chronic pain or postural deformities. * Sensory impairments affecting study participation. * Musculoskeletal, neurological, respiratory, or cardiovascular conditions limiting exercise. * History of malignancy.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Gluteus Maximus Muscle Strength (Newton) | Baseline, Immediately Post-Intervention, 15 Minutes Post, 30 Minutes Post | Assessed using a digital handheld dynamometer (Lafayette Manual Muscle Tester, Model 01165) during maximal voluntary isometric contraction in prone hip extension. Three trials are conducted, and the highest value is recorded. |
| Erector Spinae Endurance (Seconds) | Baseline, Immediately Post-Intervention, 15 Minutes Post, 30 Minutes Post | Evaluated using the Biering-Sørensen Test. Participants maintain a horizontal trunk position with the lower body fixed until fatigue. Time is recorded with a stopwatch. |
| Knee Joint Proprioception (Degrees) | Baseline, Immediately Post-Intervention, 15 Minutes Post, 30 Minutes Post | Measured using an inclinometer to assess knee joint position sense. Angular deviation from 30° knee flexion target is recorded. The mean error across trials is used as the final score. |
| Dynamic Balance (Percent Reach Distance) | Baseline, Immediately Post-Intervention, 15 Minutes Post, 30 Minutes Post | Assessed with the Y-Balance Test in three directions: anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral. Reach distances are normalized to limb length and averaged to calculate dynamic balance performance. |
| Cognitive Performance - Stroop Test Reaction Time | Baseline, Immediately Post-Intervention, 15 Minutes Post, 30 Minutes Post | Assesses selective attention and cognitive interference using the Stroop Color-Word Test. Reaction time is recorded in milliseconds during the incongruent trial phase. |
| Cognitive Performance - Stroop Test Error Count | Baseline, Immediately Post-Intervention, 15 Minutes Post, 30 Minutes Post | Assesses accuracy during the Stroop Color-Word Test. The number of errors made during the incongruent trials is recorded. |
| Cognitive Performance - Trail Making Test Completion Time | Baseline, Immediately Post-Intervention, 15 Minutes Post, 30 Minutes Post | Assesses visual attention and task-switching using Trail Making Test Parts A and B. Time to complete each part is recorded in seconds. |
| Cognitive Performance - Trail Making Test Error Count | Baseline, Immediately Post-Intervention, 15 Minutes Post, 30 Minutes Post | Assesses accuracy during Trail Making Test Parts A and B. The number of errors committed during each test part is recorded. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed