An app-enhanced cognitive fitness training program for athletes: The rationale and validation protocol
Article
Article Title | An app-enhanced cognitive fitness training program for athletes: The rationale and validation protocol |
---|---|
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Aidman, Eugene (Author), Fogarty, Gerard J. (Author), Crampton, John (Author), Bond, Jeffrey (Author), Taylor, Paul (Author), Heathcote, Andrew (Author) and Zaichkowsky, Leonard (Author) |
Journal Title | Frontiers of Psychology |
Journal Citation | 13, pp. 1-13 |
Article Number | 957551 |
Number of Pages | 13 |
Year | 2022 |
Place of Publication | Switzerland |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.957551 |
Web Address (URL) | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.957551/full |
Abstract | The core dimensions of cognitive fitness, such as attention and cognitive control, are emerging through a transdisciplinary expert consensus on what has been termed the Cognitive Fitness Framework (CF2). These dimensions represent key drivers of cognitive performance under pressure across many occupations, from first responders to sport, performing arts and the military. The constructs forming the building blocks of CF2 come from the RDoC framework, an initiative of the US National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) aimed at identifying the cognitive processes underlying normal and abnormal behavior. Similar to physical conditioning, cognitive fitness can be improved with deliberate practice. This paper reports the development of a prototype cognitive fitness training program for competitive athletes and the protocol for its evaluation. The program is focused on primary cognitive capacities and subtending skills for adjusting training rhythms and enhancing readiness for competition. The project is driven by the Australian Psychological Society’s College of Sport & Exercise Psychology and includes the development of a Cognitive Gym program for a smartphone app-enhanced implementation. Its key building blocks are training protocols (drills) connected by a periodized training plan. A website with background supporting resources has also been developed as part of the project. National-level training squads will participate in a three-week pilot evaluation protocol, assessing the program’s efficacy and usability through gamified cognitive assessment of participants’ training gains and coaching staff evaluations, respectively. Both near and far transfer of training effects will be examined. |
Keywords | cognition, fitness, performance, enhancement, intervention, wellbeing, technology |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 520304. Health psychology |
520503. Personality and individual differences | |
Byline Affiliations | Australian Psychological Society, Australia |
School of Psychology and Wellbeing | |
University of Newcastle | |
Boston University, United States | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q7qxv/an-app-enhanced-cognitive-fitness-training-program-for-athletes-the-rationale-and-validation-protocol
Download files
Published Version
Aidman Fogarty Crampton etc An app-enhanced cognitive fitness training program for athletes Frontiers 2022.pdf | ||
License: CC BY 4.0 | ||
File access level: Anyone |
102
total views110
total downloads0
views this month2
downloads this month