Neuroathletic Training Effects on Muscle Strength, Balance, and Cognition

Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University

Status: Completed

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

Treatments: Behavioral: Standard Warm-Up Protocol; Behavioral: Neuroathletic Training Protocol

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07117357

2025-49

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Enrollment: 20 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 18 to 30 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

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.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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20 participants in 2 patient groups

Neuroathletic Training

Experimental group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Neuroathletic Training Protocol

Standard Warm-Up

Active Comparator group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Standard Warm-Up Protocol