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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07117357

Neuroathletic Training Effects on Muscle Strength, Balance, and Cognition

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.

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Key information

Conditions

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

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Health Sciences, Gulhane Faculty of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Ankara, Etlik, 06010, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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.

Treatment and study plan

Neuroathletic Training Protocol

Behavioral

This intervention involves a 20-minute neuroathletic training session using the Z-Health® kit. It includes visual reset exercises (eye massage, palming), star chart eye muscle training, saccade training with letter cards, convergence-divergence drills using Brock string, vestibular activation through lunges, spinal and hip extension exercises, slap tap coordination drills, and use of pinhole glasses. The aim is to stimulate sensory pathways and enhance neuromotor readiness acutely.

Other names: Z-Health®-based neuroathletic training

Standard Warm-Up Protocol

Behavioral

This 20-minute warm-up consists of two components: 10 minutes of light walking at a moderate pace and 10 minutes of dynamic stretching (leg swings, hip flexor stretches, knee hugs, high knees, butt kicks, arm circles, and trunk rotations). It is intended to mimic standard pre-activity routines and serves as the comparator condition.

Primary outcomes

  1. Gluteus Maximus Muscle Strength (Newton)

    Time frame: Baseline, Immediately Post-Intervention, 15 Minutes Post, 30 Minutes Post

    Assessed using a digital handheld dynamometer (Lafayette Manual Muscle Tester, Model 01165) during maximal voluntary isometric contraction in prone hip extension. Three trials are conducted, and the highest value is recorded.

  2. Erector Spinae Endurance (Seconds)

    Time frame: Baseline, Immediately Post-Intervention, 15 Minutes Post, 30 Minutes Post

    Evaluated using the Biering-Sørensen Test. Participants maintain a horizontal trunk position with the lower body fixed until fatigue. Time is recorded with a stopwatch.

  3. Knee Joint Proprioception (Degrees)

    Time frame: Baseline, Immediately Post-Intervention, 15 Minutes Post, 30 Minutes Post

    Measured using an inclinometer to assess knee joint position sense. Angular deviation from 30° knee flexion target is recorded. The mean error across trials is used as the final score.

  4. Dynamic Balance (Percent Reach Distance)

    Time frame: Baseline, Immediately Post-Intervention, 15 Minutes Post, 30 Minutes Post

    Assessed with the Y-Balance Test in three directions: anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral. Reach distances are normalized to limb length and averaged to calculate dynamic balance performance.

  5. Cognitive Performance - Stroop Test Reaction Time

    Time frame: Baseline, Immediately Post-Intervention, 15 Minutes Post, 30 Minutes Post

    Assesses selective attention and cognitive interference using the Stroop Color-Word Test. Reaction time is recorded in milliseconds during the incongruent trial phase.

  6. Cognitive Performance - Stroop Test Error Count

    Time frame: Baseline, Immediately Post-Intervention, 15 Minutes Post, 30 Minutes Post

    Assesses accuracy during the Stroop Color-Word Test. The number of errors made during the incongruent trials is recorded.

  7. Cognitive Performance - Trail Making Test Completion Time

    Time frame: Baseline, Immediately Post-Intervention, 15 Minutes Post, 30 Minutes Post

    Assesses visual attention and task-switching using Trail Making Test Parts A and B. Time to complete each part is recorded in seconds.

  8. Cognitive Performance - Trail Making Test Error Count

    Time frame: Baseline, Immediately Post-Intervention, 15 Minutes Post, 30 Minutes Post

    Assesses accuracy during Trail Making Test Parts A and B. The number of errors committed during each test part is recorded.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Acute Effects of Neuroathletic Training on Posterior Chain Muscle Strength, Endurance, Proprioception, Dynamic Balance, and Cognitive Performance in Non-Athletic Individuals

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Aug 12, 2025
Registry last updated
Mar 10, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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