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NCT07782606

Acute Effects of Neuroathletic Training-Integrated Resistance Training in Collegiate Athletes

Sponsor: Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University

View on ClinicalTrials.gov

Summary

This study investigated the acute and short-term effects of neuroathletic training (NAT)-integrated resistance training compared with conventional resistance training on physical and neuromuscular performance in collegiate athletes. Fifty-eight collegiate athletes completed two experimental resistance training sessions separated by one week. The conventional resistance training condition was performed first, followed one week later by a NAT-integrated resistance training condition. Both sessions included the same lower-extremity resistance exercises, training volume, intensity, exercise order, and rest intervals. During the NAT-integrated condition, visual, vestibular, gaze-stabilization, and proprioceptive drills were incorporated before selected resistance sets and during rest intervals. Sprint acceleration, bilateral and unilateral jump performance, eccentric hamstring strength, bilateral hamstring maximum difference, and sit-and-reach flexibility were assessed before training, immediately after training, 15 minutes after training, and 30 minutes after training.

Official title: Neural Priming Before Performance: Acute Effects of Neuroathletic Training-Integrated Resistance Training Versus Conventional Resistance Training on Sprint Acceleration, Jump Performance, Eccentric Hamstring Strength, Flexibility, and Bilateral Hamstring Symmetry in Collegiate Athletes

Key Details

Gender

All

Age Range

18 Years - 25 Years

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Enrollment

Start Date

2026-03-10

Completion Date

2026-06-10

Last Updated

2026-08-24

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Conditions

Athletic Performance Enhancement Neuromuscular Performance in Athletes Physical Performance

Interventions

OTHER

Conventional Lower-Extremity Resistance Training

Participants completed a standardized lower-extremity resistance training session consisting of six exercises: leg press, Romanian deadlift, leg extension, seated leg curl, dumbbell step-up, and Copenhagen exercise. Leg press: 4 sets of 8-10 repetitions at approximately RPE 7-8, with 90 seconds rest. Romanian deadlift: 4 sets of 6-8 repetitions with a controlled 4-second eccentric phase and 90 seconds rest. Leg extension: 4 sets of 8-12 repetitions with an explosive concentric phase and 75-90 seconds rest. Seated leg curl: 4 sets of 8-10 repetitions with a 4-5-second eccentric phase and 90 seconds rest. Dumbbell step-up: 3 sets of 6-8 repetitions per leg with 90 seconds rest. Copenhagen exercise: 3 sets of 20-30 seconds per side with 60-90 seconds rest. Rest intervals consisted of passive rest only. No visual, vestibular, proprioceptive, gaze-stabilization, unilateral eye-occlusion, saccular, or utricular drills were performed.

OTHER

Neuroathletic Training-Integrated Resistance Training

Participants completed the same lower-extremity resistance training protocol used in the conventional condition. The NAT-integrated condition additionally included a 6-8-minute pre-session neuroathletic activation block and brief neuroathletic primers before selected resistance sets and during rest intervals. The neuroathletic components included binocular convergence-divergence exercises, monocular convergence-divergence with unilateral eye occlusion, vertical vestibular/saccular stimulation, horizontal or linear vestibular stimulation, gaze stabilization, head-position variation, and proprioceptive awareness tasks. The purpose of these drills was to provide acute neural priming through visual, vestibular, oculomotor, proprioceptive, and sensorimotor stimulation while maintaining the same resistance training volume and intensity as the conventional condition.

Inclusion Criteria: Were collegiate athletes participating in organized sport training. Had participated in regular sport-specific training for at least one year. Had previous experience with lower-extremity resistance training. Had previous experience with the exercises used in the study, including leg press, Romanian deadlift, leg extension, seated leg curl, dumbbell step-up, and Copenhagen exercise. Were familiar with maximal or near-maximal sprinting, jumping, and lower-limb strength testing. Were able to complete 5-meter sprint testing, bilateral and unilateral jump testing, Nordic hamstring testing, sit-and-reach flexibility testing, and the resistance training protocols. Were able to perform maximal or near-maximal lower-limb tasks without pain or movement restriction. Agreed to attend both experimental sessions and all measurement time points. Exclusion Criteria: Had an acute lower-extremity musculoskeletal injury during the previous three months. Had a hamstring strain, quadriceps strain, groin injury, ankle sprain, knee injury, hip injury, or low back pain limiting sport participation during the previous three months. Had undergone lower-extremity surgery during the previous 12 months. Experienced current pain during sprinting, jumping, Nordic hamstring testing, flexibility testing, or resistance exercise. Had a neurological disorder. Had diagnosed vestibular dysfunction. Had recurrent vertigo or unexplained dizziness. Had severe motion sensitivity. Had a balance disturbance. Had uncorrected visual impairment. Had diplopia or severe visual tracking difficulties. Had any condition preventing safe completion of eye-occlusion or gaze-stabilization exercises. Had experienced concussion within the previous six months. Had persistent post-concussion symptoms. Had cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, or systemic disease limiting high-intensity exercise. Used medication known to influence balance, alertness, reaction time, exercise tolerance, or neuromuscular performance. Failed to comply with pre-test instructions. Failed to attend both experimental sessions. Had incomplete data at any measurement time point.

Locations (1)

Kütahya Dumlupınar University

Kütahya, Turkey (Türkiye)