The Brain's Full Potential is Being Unlocked by Businesses Everywhere

The objective of the study was to examine MOT capability at different levels of cognitive load (tracking 1,2,3, or 4 objects) and its association to higher level processes, particularly fluid reasoning intelligence.

‍

70 adult participants (mean= 23 years of age) completed NeuroTracker and were then assessed on the Weschler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence 2 test. Participants were asked to track one, two, three and four targets out of a total of 8 spheres for eight seconds.

The results showed that as the number of targets increased, the average speed the participants successfully tracked all the objects decreased. This finding allowed the researchers to confirm that average speed score can be used as a suitable metric for MOT and in turn, attention resource capacity. As a result, the outcomes indicate that visual tracking capability is positively associated with fluid reasoning intelligence. Consequently, this finding demonstrates that there is a link between fluid reasoning intelligence and MOT capability, especially in conditions of high load (tracking 4 out of 8 targets).

To investigate if NeuroTracker training could positively influence a number of assessments known to be reliable indicators of fall-risk in older adults.

25 elderly residents (av. 80 years old) of a day care facility were divided into active and control groups. The active group completed a NeuroTracker (3D-MOT) training intervention over 5 weeks, along with a batter of pre and post training assessments relevant to fall-risk. The control group did no NeuroTracker training, but also completed all the pre and post assessments. These included the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Trail Making Test A (TMT-A), 5 meter walking ability, dynamic balance ability, the Timed Up and Go test (TUG), and the Function Reach Test (FRT).

Overall the participants improved significantly on NeuroTracker scores (+32%), demonstrating a clear learning capacity for this task in old age. The MMSE (a screening test) showed no significant changes for both groups. The NeuroTracker group experienced significant or large post-test improvements on TMT-A, 5 meter walking time, TUG and FRT. In contrast, controls experienced a moderate or significant decline in TMT-A, TUG and FRT, but a significant improvement in walking time.Overall the researchers conclude that NeuroTracker training offers an effective intervention for preventing falls in an elderly community dwelling.

To investigate the effectiveness of NeuroTracker training with elite volleyball players as a form of off-court cognitive performance training.

43 elite volleyball athletes performed pre—post NeuroTracker baselines, along with several transfer tests. The active group completed an 8-week NeuroTracker training program in-between pre-post tests, which also included volleyball specific dual-tasks. The control group did no NeuroTracker training, but completed regular volleyball training.

Controls showed no change in pre-post NeuroTracker baselines, while the active group approximately doubled their NeuroTracker speed thresholds. Near transfer tests for sustained attention and processing speed showed significant gains for the NeuroTracker group only. A far transfer motor-skill test was used but was of insufficient difficulty to signficantly differentiate the active and control groups. The researchers concluded that NeuroTracker provides an example of an effective method for improving athlete's cognitive capacities with an off-court training intervention.

To investigate if real-time Neurofeedback can enhance learning rates for NeuroTracker training.

40 healthy adults were assigned to four training groups (ten each), performing either:-

• Standard NeuroTracker training

• No training (control group)

• NeuroTracker with EEG-Neurofeedback

• NeuroTracker with sham Neurofeedback

EEG-Neurofeedback involved closed-loop feedback that automatically detects when a participant has lost track of their targets and immediately reindexes them.

The standard NeuroTracker group, control group and EEG-Neurofeedback groups started a similar level, higher than the sham Neurofeedback group. However the EEG-Neurofeedback showed superior learning rates over all other groups over the course of 10 training sessions. The results show that a closed-loop learning paradigm is highly effective at enhancing learning outcomes on the NeuroTracker task.

‍

To examine the effects of a high intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) protocol on performance with a perceptual-cognitive task (NeuroTracker), and whether effects differ between children, young adults, and older adults.

‍

12 children, 12 young adults and 12 older adults completed a HIIE program consisting of eleven 30-second intervals at 90% VO2 max, interspersed with 2-minute active recovery periods at 50% VO2max. Before and during this exercise protocol, three sessions of NeuroTracker task were performed at 5, 15, and 25 minute intervals.

‍

Young adults had significantly higher absolute NeuroTracker scores than children and older adults. Apart children, NeuroTracker scores improved each session, despite the exercise demands (greatest for young adults). The findings suggest that intensive exercise protocols are suitable to be combined with NeuroTracker cognitive training with younger and older adults, but not with children.

To compare the efficacy of NeuroTracker training for concentration and game performance to conventional training.

‍

21 university basketball athletes were divided into a NeuroTracker training group (12 sessions) or a conventional training group. The Concentration Grid Test was used to measure concentration, and FIBA-Live Stats were collected to evaluate the game statistics and athlete performance, both pre- and post-training.

NeuroTracker training resulted in 42% greater improvement in post-training Concentration Grid Test results, compared to conventional training. No substantial improvements in game performance were found with either form of training.

To examine physiological and cognitive differences between starters and non-starters in women’s soccer over the course of a season.

28 NCAA Division I female soccer players were tested at preseason and postseason on battery of assessments. This battery included a one session baseline NeuroTracker, vertical jump power, repeated line drills, reaction time, cognitive questionnaires, and finally, muscle architecture changes using ultrasonography.

Over the season, both groups had very similar NeuroTracker baselines, and both group’s speed thresholds improved significantly from pre-season to post-season. As there was no training intervention, the researchers concluded that this improvement effect revealed the positive influence of daily soccer practice on cognitive functions. This suggests NeuroTracker is a sensitive measure of the cumulative effects of sports training over time. These measures contrasted the cognitive questionnaire results, where the soccer player self-reported decreases in energy, focus and alertness, in line with increased fatigue, over the season.

The goal of this multi-year research project was to develop methods for assessing the efficacy of training (including live and simulated platforms) by validating measures of cognitive workload that characterize skill acquisition.

‍

10 evaluation pilots (100-300 flight hours of experience) were selected to perform low, medium and high difficulty flight manoeuvres in both a jet flight simulator and live jet flight (Aero Vodochody L-29 jet trainer) using experimental conditions. During flight ECG data (NeXus-4) and eye-tracking data (Dikablis) was collected. Flight performance was analysed for altitude, roll, and vertical speed errors, and cognitive workload was subjectively assessed (10-point Bedford Workload Scale). As a validated tool for evaluating perceptual-cognitive skills, NeuroTracker was selected as to measure spare cognitive capacity via extraneous load (Cognitive Load Theory). All pilots first completed home-based NeuroTracker consolidation training (15 Core sessions). NeuroTracker was integrated into the flight testbed. Low, medium and high difficulty flight manoeuvre tests were performed by all pilots, both without NeuroTracker, and while simultaneously performing NeuroTracker Core sessions.

‍

Compared to performing NeuroTracker alone, live and simulated flight across all manoeuvres, caused a drastic decrease in NeuroTracker speed thresholds (average of ~97%). This, perhaps for the first time, objectively demonstrated that jet flight involves very high intrinsic cognitive loads. Live flight resulted in lower NeuroTracker speed thresholds and physiological performance than simulated flight, with greater differences for higher difficulty maneuverers. This evidence suggests that physiological and cognitive loads are significantly heavier in live flight, supporting the theory that that brain dynamics differ in real-world environments compared to those of a laboratory.

To investigate if NeuroTracker training can improve archery concentration performance at moment of shooting.

20 archers in an archery club were divided into two control groups. Over 12 visits the one group completed NeuroTracker training, while the other group completed conventional archery training. Pre-post assessments of concentration were completed by both groups using the Concentration Grid Test.

‍There was a significant transfer effect from both the NeuroTracker training and the conventional training on the improvement of the archery athlete’s concentration, however NeuroTracker training demonstrated stronger post-training improvements on the Concentration Grid Test across mean, standard deviation and gain scores. The researchers conclude NeuroTracker could be an effective training method to improve the concentration of archery athletes.