Neuro-Athletic Training Effects in Young Adults

NCT ID: NCT07310030

Last Updated: 2025-12-30

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 22 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-11-30
• Study Completion Date: 2026-01-30

Brief Summary

This study aims to examine the acute effects of a single session of neuro-athletic training (NAT) on key physical fitness parameters in young adults. Neuro-athletic training is a contemporary approach that integrates neuroscience principles with athletic conditioning, focusing not only on muscular strength but also on optimizing the interaction between the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system. By targeting visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive mechanisms, NAT seeks to enhance motor output, coordination, movement efficiency, and decision-making processes.

Although NAT has gained increasing attention in sports performance programs, most existing research has focused on long-term training adaptations in elite athletes. Evidence regarding its immediate effects-especially in healthy university-aged individuals-is still limited. Preliminary findings suggest that exercises incorporating cognitive load and sensory integration may improve various aspects of performance; however, the short-term influence of NAT on balance, flexibility, reaction time, and power has not been fully clarified.

In this context, the present controlled experimental study compares the effects of a single NAT session with those of a traditional warm-up routine. The study evaluates acute changes in balance, flexibility, vertical power, and reaction time to determine whether NAT can produce immediate performance benefits. The findings are expected to contribute to a clearer understanding of how neuro-athletic principles can be integrated into preparatory exercise routines to enhance both neuromuscular and cognitive-motor performance in young adults.

Detailed Description

Our study is designed as a randomized, controlled, single-blind trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups (intervention group, n=11; control group, n=11) following a pre-test-intervention-post-test design.

Control Group Exercises

The control group will perform only stretching exercises, balance training, and vertical jump exercises. Stretching exercises will include static stretches targeting the hip flexors, hamstrings, quadriceps, and gastrocnemius muscle groups, with each position held for 20-30 seconds for two repetitions. Balance training will be performed on a Both Sides Utilized ball and balance board in a single-leg stance, with three trials for each leg; each trial will last 15 seconds with 30 seconds of rest between trials. These exercises are incorporated into a warm-up routine to help prevent injuries and pose no health risks for healthy individuals. All exercises will be conducted under the supervision of a physiotherapist to ensure proper execution and safety. No eye exercises will be administered to the control group. The duration of the warm-up will be kept equal for both groups.

Intervention Group Exercises

The intervention group will perform all exercises included in the control group, in addition to eye exercises. Along with the control group protocol, the intervention group will complete video-based eye exercises, including smooth pursuit, saccadic eye movements, and anti-saccade tasks. Additionally, the Brock string exercise will be used to train depth perception. These exercises are included as part of the warm-up program to help prevent injuries and are considered safe for healthy individuals. If symptoms such as dizziness or visual fatigue occur during the eye exercises, the session will be terminated. All exercises will be conducted under the supervision of a physiotherapist to ensure correct performance and safety. The warm-up duration will be kept equal for both groups.

Conditions

Health Young Individuals; Physical Fitness

Keywords

neuro-athletic training; saccadic eye movements; sports related performance; physical fitness

Study Design

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

Study Groups

Neuro-athletic training programme (Stretching, Balance Training, Vertical Jump and Eye Exercise)

Neuro-athletic training programme (Stretching, Balance Training, Vertical Jump and Eye Exercise)

This group group will perform all exercises included in the control group, with the addition of eye exercises. In addition to the control group protocol, participants in this group will complete various video-based eye exercises, including smooth pursuit, saccadic movements, and anti-saccade tasks. Furthermore, the Brock string exercise will be administered to train depth perception.

All exercises in the program are implemented as part of a warm-up routine to help prevent injuries and pose no health risks for healthy individuals. If symptoms such as dizziness or visual fatigue occur during the eye exercises, the session will be terminated. All exercises will be performed under the supervision of a physiotherapist to ensure correct execution and safety. The warm-up duration will be kept equal for both groups.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Experimental: Neuro-athletic training programme (Stretching, Balance Training, Vertical Jump and Eye Exercise)

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Neuro-athletic training programme (Stretching, Balance Training, Vertical Jump and Eye Exercise)

This group group will perform all exercises included in the control group, with the addition of eye exercises. In addition to the control group protocol, participants in this group will complete various video-based eye exercises, including smooth pursuit, saccadic movements, and anti-saccade tasks. Furthermore, the Brock string exercise will be administered to train depth perception.

All exercises in the program are implemented as part of a warm-up routine to help prevent injuries and pose no health risks for healthy individuals. If symptoms such as dizziness or visual fatigue occur during the eye exercises, the session will be terminated. All exercises will be performed under the supervision of a physiotherapist to ensure correct execution and safety. The warm-up duration will be kept equal for both groups.

Stretching, Balance Training and Vertical Jump Exercise Program (without eye exercises)

Stretching, Balance Training and Vertical Jump Exercise Program (without eye exercises)

This group (control) group will perform only stretching exercises, balance training, and vertical jump exercises. Stretching exercises will consist of static stretches targeting the hip flexors, hamstrings, quadriceps, and gastrocnemius muscle groups, with each position held for 20-30 seconds for two repetitions. Balance training will be performed on a Both Sides Utilized ball and balance board in a single-leg stance, with three trials for each leg; each trial will last 15 seconds, with 30 seconds of rest between trials.

All exercises are incorporated into a warm-up program to help prevent injuries and pose no health risks for healthy individuals. All exercises will be performed under the supervision of a physiotherapist to ensure correct execution and control. No eye exercises will be administered to the control group. The warm-up duration will be kept equal for both groups.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Active Comparator: Stretching, Balance Training and Vertical Jump Exercise Program (without eye exercises) Control group

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Stretching, Balance Training and Vertical Jump Exercise Program (without eye exercises)

This group (control) group will perform only stretching exercises, balance training, and vertical jump exercises. Stretching exercises will consist of static stretches targeting the hip flexors, hamstrings, quadriceps, and gastrocnemius muscle groups, with each position held for 20-30 seconds for two repetitions. Balance training will be performed on a Both Sides Utilized ball and balance board in a single-leg stance, with three trials for each leg; each trial will last 15 seconds, with 30 seconds of rest between trials.

All exercises are incorporated into a warm-up program to help prevent injuries and pose no health risks for healthy individuals. All exercises will be performed under the supervision of a physiotherapist to ensure correct execution and control. No eye exercises will be administered to the control group. The warm-up duration will be kept equal for both groups.

Interventions

Experimental: Neuro-athletic training programme (Stretching, Balance Training, Vertical Jump and Eye Exercise)

Neuro-athletic training programme (Stretching, Balance Training, Vertical Jump and Eye Exercise)

This group group will perform all exercises included in the control group, with the addition of eye exercises. In addition to the control group protocol, participants in this group will complete various video-based eye exercises, including smooth pursuit, saccadic movements, and anti-saccade tasks. Furthermore, the Brock string exercise will be administered to train depth perception.

All exercises in the program are implemented as part of a warm-up routine to help prevent injuries and pose no health risks for healthy individuals. If symptoms such as dizziness or visual fatigue occur during the eye exercises, the session will be terminated. All exercises will be performed under the supervision of a physiotherapist to ensure correct execution and safety. The warm-up duration will be kept equal for both groups.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Active Comparator: Stretching, Balance Training and Vertical Jump Exercise Program (without eye exercises) Control group

Stretching, Balance Training and Vertical Jump Exercise Program (without eye exercises)

This group (control) group will perform only stretching exercises, balance training, and vertical jump exercises. Stretching exercises will consist of static stretches targeting the hip flexors, hamstrings, quadriceps, and gastrocnemius muscle groups, with each position held for 20-30 seconds for two repetitions. Balance training will be performed on a Both Sides Utilized ball and balance board in a single-leg stance, with three trials for each leg; each trial will last 15 seconds, with 30 seconds of rest between trials.

All exercises are incorporated into a warm-up program to help prevent injuries and pose no health risks for healthy individuals. All exercises will be performed under the supervision of a physiotherapist to ensure correct execution and control. No eye exercises will be administered to the control group. The warm-up duration will be kept equal for both groups.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Healthy young adults aged 18-35 years
• Not participating in professional sports
• No visual impairments
• Provide written informed consent and agree to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria

• Diagnosed musculoskeletal disorder
• Diagnosed neurological or orthopedic condition
• Balance disorders (e.g., vestibular system problems, frequent dizziness)
• History of serious musculoskeletal injury or surgery within the past 6 months
• Unable to perform the exercises during assessment due to pain

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 35 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Istinye University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Beyza Tanrıöğen

research assistant

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Central Contacts

Beyza Tanrıöğen, MSc

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 00905392359936

Email: beyza.tanriogen@istinye.edu.tr

Other Identifiers

Istinye BT 3

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id