Performance-Focused Cognitive Fitness Intervention for Athletes Affected by COVID-19

Performance-Focused Cognitive Fitness Intervention for Athletes Affected by COVID-19

Background: The core dimensions of cognitive fitness are emerging as a transdisciplinary expert consensus (Albertella et al., 2020) on Cognitive Fitness Framework (CF2; Aidman, 2020). They represent key drivers of cognitive performance under pressure across many occupations, from first responders to sport, performing arts and the military. These drivers include primary cognitive capacities such as attention and inhibitory control. Similar to physical conditioning, cognitive fitness can be improved with deliberate practice (Zaichkowsky & Peterson, 2018). This report covers the development of a prototype cognitive fitness program for competitive athletes, focused on mental capacities and subtending skills for adjusting training rhythms and enhancing readiness for competition. Method: Australian Psychological Society’s College of Sport & Exercise Psychologists is developing a CF2- informed paradigm for the Mental Health - Performer Wellbeing - Performance Support operating environment. This practitioner-led project is developing a Cognitive Gym program for a smartphone app-enhanced implementation. Its key building blocks are training protocols (drills) connected by a periodised training plan. National-level training squads will be invited to participate in a three-week pilot evaluation. Their coaching staff will evaluate the program, in addition to gamified cognitive assessment of participants’ training gains. Results: For the 'proof of concept' requirements of the project, several drills were combined into a single intervention. The current prototype contains a standard daily practice routine containing 10 drills representing Composure, Recovery, and Mission-Ready phases of the CF2 cycle complemented by Performance Mindset instruction added by the practitioners. Each drill involves systematic and disciplined execution of underpinning cognitive skills, such as concentration endurance and attentional flexibility that combine the CF2 Delphi expert consensus on attention as a key fitness factor, with practitioner wisdom of how to best deliver attentional training. The content combines evidence-based training protocols with instructional support by practitioners experienced in the delivery of such programs in high performance environments. The core instruction is delivered via the app and backed by a companion website providing extensive background information and additional practice options. The core recommended three-week sequence of daily interaction with the app includes practice drills, instructional material, assessments and interactive communication systems to facilitate engagement. Discussion: Participant recruitment and data collection have been delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions, and will commence as soon as it becomes possible. Evaluation of the pilot training program will focus on estimating the objective training gains and on subjective assessments by athletes and coaches. The findings will inform future development of the app, with expansion options discussed. The impact of this training program on a range of performance and wellbeing outcomes seems worth further investigation. Our practitioner-driven implementation of a CF2-informed Cognitive Gym training intervention is one of several lines of research and development effort aimed at validating the CF2 constructs, their measurement and implementation of their practical applications. The project is closely aligned with the CF2 Delphi study and the associated development of cognitive measurement tools. It holds considerable promise to radically change the ways in which competitive athletes and other performance-focused professionals prepare for their occupational challenges.

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