Since Feb 2014 I've facilitated over 5000 Neurotracker sessions. Neurotracker a 3D multiple object tracking training program, athletes can improve their reaction time, peripheral vision, dynamic/sustained/distributed/selective attention, andd improves decision making. Here are many of my discoveries and case studies regarding cognitive conditioning with the Neurotracker.

1. COGNITIVE
CONDITIONING
PROGRAM
CAIRNS SPORTS PERFORMANCE CLINIC & PNG HIGH PERFORMANCE

2. WHY COGNITIVE CONDITIONING?
• Sports are getting faster and more complex with more demands physically
• Lapses in concentration can cost the team or athlete the match, game or fight
• Overload of stimulus in the match results in poor execution or poor decisions
• Majority of goals scored towards end of soccer half due to fatigue
• Hand-eye coordination governed by the brain’s visual processing system
• Sport science is close to pushing limits physically yet cognitive development still
untapped
• Solid evidence base after five years of peer review and implementation into sports
area
• Almost complete lack of standardised cognitive training programs at professional
level

3. WHAT IS COGNITIVE CONDITIONING?
• Any repetitious activity which engages an athlete’s attention, working memory,
spatial awareness or reaction time which yields improvements at task and
transfers to sport.
• Example: 3D multiple object tracking paradigm (3D-MOT); Neurotracker
commercially
• Measures visual tracking speed (VTS) threshold of individual athletes
• Requires:
• 3D HDTV 50” – 70” or 3D projector 100”: $500 - $1500
• 2m2 – 4m2 space for session
• 3D capable laptop or desktop computer: $500 - $1000
• Neurotracker software ~$10,000 Microsoft Kinect: $250

4. 3D-MOT DEMONSTRATION

5. WHO IS COGNITIVE CONDITIONING FOR?
• Athletes in action sports: combat, tactical, invasion, racquet or racing
• Demand for ability to process complex patterns in game play and opponent
movements
• Need for accurate spatial judgements in three dimensional space: tennis, soccer,
racing
• Late in game mental fatigue sets in: last few minutes of soccer match; final set of
squash
• Where language barriers exist: purely cognitive/spatial task so little language
required
• For judging direct opponent movements: processing opponent’s body
movements

6. WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH EVIDENCE SHOW?
• Professional athletes perform better and adapt faster to 3D-MOT compared to
college/semi-elite athletes and non-athletes
• VTS positively correlates with stats (assists, steals, assist/turnover ratio) in NBA
sample
• Increase in passing accuracy in semi-elite footballers after training
• VTS significantly reduced in athletes with history of mBTI (concussion)
• Enhances cognitive and brain function in healthy young adults (attention, working
memory, & inhibition. Reduced alpha/theta waves with increases in beta and
gamma)
• Reductions in VTS during physical fatigue and while performing dual tasks
• Enhancement in most visual skills in Spanish water polo, taekwondo and tennis

7. CAIRNS SPORTS PERFORMANCE CLINIC
- INDIVIDUAL CASE STUDIES
• Normal distribution curves in elite basketballers, mountain bike and rugby league squads,
(n=1)
• 0% reduction in VTS post 2 hour HIIT: 18yo, male, semi-professional, soccer, (n=70)
• 35% reduction in VTS post-St Paddies day: 30yo, male, state level, hockey, (n=50)
• 20% – 35% reduction in VTS due to screen size: multiple clients, (n = 50 – 350)
• 50% – 75% reduction in VTS during reactive agility task: multiple clients, (n = 30 – 100)
• 50% drop in VTS five days post-MCL injury: 21yo, male, (n = 2)
• 40% improvement points per game; 24yo, female, semi-pro basketball (n = 35)
• 100% improvement rebounds, points, assists; 23yo, male, semi-pro basketball (n = 11)
• 200% improvement points per game; male, 16yo, male, youth basketball (n = 150)

8. FUTURE & ONGOING RESEARCH
• Detection, rehabilitation and reduction of mTBI harms (concussion)
• VTS and resistance to fatigue
• Progression based system
• Impact on dietary habits, stress, post-match hydration
• Correlation between recovery status and VTS
• Training effects on sport specific statistics, athlete and coach subjective
assessments