This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of a four-week tablet-based cognitive training program on executive functions and on-court decision-making performance in adolescent female volleyball players. Fifty licensed female volleyball players aged 12 to 14 years were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group received cognitive training three times per week in addition to routine volleyball training, while the control group continued routine training only. Executive functions were assessed using the Stroop Test, Trail Making Test-A, Go/No-Go Test, and 2-Back Test. Volleyball-specific decision-making performance was evaluated using a video-based temporal occlusion test. The study investigates whether improvements in executive functions following cognitive training transfer to sport-specific decision-making performance.
Executive functions, including inhibitory control, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and attentional control, play an important role in sports requiring rapid perception and decision-making, such as volleyball. Although previous studies have shown that cognitive training can improve executive functions, evidence regarding the transfer of these improvements to sport-specific performance remains inconsistent. The purpose of this randomized controlled study is to investigate the effects of a short-term tablet-based cognitive training program on executive functions and volleyball-specific on-court decision-making performance in adolescent female volleyball players. Fifty licensed female volleyball players aged 12 to 14 years participated in the study. Participants were randomly allocated to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group completed a four-week cognitive training program consisting of three supervised sessions per week (20-30 minutes per session) in addition to routine volleyball training. The control group continued routine volleyball training without additional cognitive training. Primary assessments included executive function measures obtained using the Stroop Test, Trail Making Test-A (TMT-A), Go/No-Go Test, and 2-Back Test. Volleyball-specific decision-making performance was evaluated using a video-based temporal occlusion paradigm, with decision-making accuracy and response time recorded before and after the intervention. The study aims to determine whether short-term cognitive training improves executive function performance (near transfer) and whether these cognitive improvements translate into enhanced sport-specific decision-making performance (far transfer) in adolescent female volleyball players.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
50
A structured four-week tablet-based cognitive training program was administered three times per week for approximately 20-30 minutes per session. The program included computerized exercises targeting inhibitory control, working memory, cognitive flexibility, attention, and processing speed using validated cognitive training applications.
Participants continued their routine volleyball training according to their regular training schedule.
Firat University
Elâzığ, Merkez, Turkey (Türkiye)
Change in Stroop Interference Time
Change from baseline to Week 4 in Stroop interference time, calculated as the difference between the mean reaction time under incongruent and neutral conditions, measured in milliseconds (ms) using the computerized Stroop Color and Word Test.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4
Change in Trail Making Test-A Completion Time
Change from baseline to Week 4 in the time required to complete the Trail Making Test-A, measured in seconds (s).
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4
Change in Go/No-Go Reaction Time
Change from baseline to Week 4 in mean reaction time during the computerized Go/No-Go Test, measured in milliseconds (ms) during correct Go responses.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4
Change in 2-Back Accuracy
Change from baseline to Week 4 in working memory accuracy during the computerized 2-Back Test, measured as percentage of correct responses (%).
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4
Change in 2-Back Reaction Time
Change from baseline to Week 4 in mean reaction time during correct responses in the computerized 2-Back Test, measured in milliseconds (ms).
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4
Change in On-Court Decision-Making Accuracy
Change from baseline to Week 4 in volleyball-specific decision-making accuracy assessed using a video-based temporal occlusion test, measured as the number of correct decisions (0-25).
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4
Change in On-Court Decision-Making Response Time
Change from baseline to Week 4 in volleyball-specific decision-making response time assessed using a video-based temporal occlusion test, measured in milliseconds (ms).
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4
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