Last blog, we discussed the use of muscle activation to improve athletic performance.  OK. We discussed that this is probably a myth, since there is no data demonstrating that it does improve athletic performance.

Well, there are more “scientific’ techniques used to improve athletic performance.  Also, without a shred of evidence that they work.  Let’s look at “NeuroTracker”.

(You do recall that I’ve discussed Lumosity a while back.    Right about the time it was socked with $ 2 million in penalties for its exaggerated claims.  There’s also the 10,000 hour rule, as espoused by K. Anders Ericsson, but that only applies to the specific skill being exercised. )

The NeuroTracker video game is supposed to improve our cognitive agility (our ability to process information), just like lifting weights is supposed to develop our muscles. What does it really do?  It asks us to track video spheres that jump around on a 3 dimensional screen.

It was invented by Jocelyn Faubert (University of Montreal) back about 7 years ago (2009).   Faubert believes that his game improves the processing networks in our brain- the memory pathways, the motion-processing, and the attention-based portions.

His first device, the CAVE, took up a whole room.  It required a 9 foot by 9 foot screen in a dark room.  The Cave Automatic Virtual Environment was no small undertaking- he spent nearly a $ 1 million on development. And, it developed from this optometry research to improve peripheral vision, posture and balance, to what it now claims.

The NeuroTracker employs numbered spheres (8 of them) that bounce around a cube.  The user, with 3D glasses watches four red-glowing spheres.  But, they only glow red for an instant before they turn yellow (again).  And, then, all the balls keep moving.  For eight (8) seconds- when the user is requested to identify which were the red balls.

The speed keeps increasing, the balls bounce more quickly, and things get harder to follow.  And, if you track them properly, you move up a level.  If you track them wrong, you get demoted, to a slower moving system.  For eight minutes.  (Yes, the number 8 is a key factor.) At that point,  you are awarded your “score”.

Right now, there are some 500+ training centers that bought into this concept.  Soccer teams, football teams, hockey teams are among those “invested” in the scheme.  And, these systems are not cheap, running from $ 6K (for a small system) to $ 80K or so for a complete installation.

Supposedly, this can be used to assess mental health after one had a  concussion.  Or, to stretch the concept even further, to aid those suffering from ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).  And, some teams admit they use this as a tool to enhance their scouting techniques, to find the most promising teenagers to add to their team rosters

CogniSens (the newly formed parent company of NeuroTracker, established by Jean Castonguay along with Jocelyn Faubert) claims it has 12 studies that prove its capabilities.  And, it is now selling a dumbed-down version, one that operates in 2D, over the web.  Aimed at conventional consumers, the annual fee to play (or be improved- again, if you believe the hype) is $ 229.

Basically, this program uses a series of balls and some of them glow at a different color. One has to track them as they move- and should they stop, you click on them.  Complete the task properly and you move on to the next level – which works at higher speeds.  And, again.  Just like the larger CAVE system.

As far as scientists can tell, a carefully executed placebo could produce the same results- which effects will eventually wear off.  Some scientists worry that the game has too few specific skills attuned to a given sport, so it renders it difficult to prove what does or does not work.

that last statement may explain why many teams are not willing to admit they rely on these systems for their team development.

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