Neuroathletic Training Effects on Muscle Strength, Balance, and Cognition

NCT ID: NCT07117357

Last Updated: 2025-08-12

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 20 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-04-11
• Study Completion Date: 2025-07-15

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.

Conditions

Neuroathletic Training; Posterior Chain Muscle Strength; Gluteus Maximus; Hamstrings; Erector Spinae Endurance; Proprioception; Cognitive Performance

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Neuroathletic Training

Participants will undergo a 20-minute neuroathletic training protocol using the Z-Health® kit, targeting visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive systems. The protocol includes visual reset exercises (eye massage, palming), star chart eye muscle training, saccade training with letter cards, convergence-divergence training, Brock string training, hip and spine extension exercises, saccule activation lunge exercises, slap tap coordination exercises, and pinhole glasses exercises to enhance motor control, balance, and cognitive performance.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Neuroathletic Training Protocol

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

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.

Standard Warm-Up

Participants will perform a 20-minute standard warm-up protocol consisting of 10 minutes of light walking at a moderate pace on flat terrain, followed by 10 minutes of dynamic stretching exercises (10 repetitions each of leg swings, hip flexor stretches, knee hugs, high knees, butt kicks, arm circles, and trunk rotations). This protocol serves as a control to compare against the neuroathletic training intervention.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Standard Warm-Up Protocol

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

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.

Interventions

Neuroathletic 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.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Standard 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.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Other Intervention Names

Z-Health®-based neuroathletic training

Eligibility Criteria

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.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 30 Years
• Eligible Sex: MALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

caglar soylu

Associate Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

University of Health Sciences, Gulhane Faculty of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Ankara, Etlik, Turkey (Türkiye)

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Other Identifiers

2025-49

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id