Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
ISSN: 1303 - 2968   
Ios-APP Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
Views
4720
Download
1547
 
©Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2020) 19, 529 - 534

Research article
Computerized Cognitive Training with Minimal Motor Component Improves Lower Limb Choice-Reaction Time
Jan Wilke , Oliver Vogel
Author Information
Department of Sports Medicine and Exercise Physiology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Jan Wilke
✉ Department of Sports Medicine, Goethe University, Ginnheimer Landstraße 39. D-60487 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Email: wilke@sport.uni-frankfurt.de
Publish Date
Received: 18-02-2020
Accepted: 12-06-2020
Published (online): 13-08-2020
 
 
ABSTRACT

The role of cognitive training in sports has experienced a recent surge in popularity. However, there is a paucity of longitudinal trials examining the effectiveness of related methods. This study aimed to investigate the impact of a cognitive training with minimal motor components on lower limb choice-reaction performance. A total of 44 healthy individuals (26.4 ± 3.7 years, 27 males) were randomly allocated to a cognitive training (CT) or an inactive control group (CON). The CT group participants, three times per week, engaged in a computerized exercise program targeting skills such as attention, reaction time, processing speed or inhibition control. Before and after the 6-week intervention period, lower limb choice-reaction time was assessed using the Quick Feet Board device. An ANCOVA of the post-intervention values, controlling for baseline data, demonstrated superior unilateral choice-reaction performance (stance on dominant leg) in the CT group (p = 0.04, r = 0.31). Conversely, no difference was found for the bilateral component of the test (p > .05). Off-court cognitive training may represent a suitable method to enhance reactive motor skills in athletes.

Key words: Neurocognition, reaction, athletes, computerized, inhibition control


           Key Points
  • There is a lack of evidence regarding the question as to whether cognitive training with minimal motor component has transfer effects for motor performance
  • A six-week computerized cognitive training intervention enhances lower limb choice-reaction performance in healthy active adults
  • The observed effects may help to increase sport-specific performance.
 
 
Home Issues About Authors
Contact Current Editorial board Authors instructions
Email alerts In Press Mission For Reviewers
Archive Scope
Supplements Statistics
Most Read Articles
  Most Cited Articles
 
  
 
JSSM | Copyright 2001-2024 | All rights reserved. | LEGAL NOTICES | Publisher

It is forbidden the total or partial reproduction of this web site and the published materials, the treatment of its database, any kind of transition and for any means, either electronic, mechanic or other methods, without the previous written permission of the JSSM.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.