Neuroathletic TrainingNCT07117357
Neuroathletic Training Effects on Muscle Strength, Balance, and Cognition
A study testing Neuroathletic Training Protocol and Standard Warm-Up Protocol in people with Neuroathletic Training and Posterior Chain Muscle Strength, run by Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Neuroathletic Training, Posterior Chain Muscle Strength, Gluteus Maximus
- What is being tested?
- Neuroathletic Training Protocol and Standard Warm-Up Protocol
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 52 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 11 Apr 2025to 15 Jul 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 30 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- 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.
Who cannot join
- 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.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
University of Health Sciences, Gulhane Faculty of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
Ankara, Etlik, 06010
About this study
Official title: Acute Effects of Neuroathletic Training on Posterior Chain Muscle Strength, Endurance, Proprioception, Dynamic Balance, and Cognitive Performance in Non-Athletic Individuals
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.
- Conditions
- Neuroathletic Training, Posterior Chain Muscle Strength, Gluteus Maximus, Hamstrings, Erector Spinae Endurance, Proprioception
- Being tested
- Neuroathletic Training Protocol, Standard Warm-Up Protocol
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Neuroathletic Training ProtocolBehavioural
Also called Z-Health®-based neuroathletic training
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.
Standard Warm-Up ProtocolBehavioural
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.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Neuroathletic Training | Experimental | Participants will undergo a 20-minute neuroathletic training protocol using the Z-Health® kit, targeting visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive systems. The protocol includes visual reset exercises (eye massage, palming), star chart eye muscle training, saccade training with letter cards, convergence-divergence training, Brock string training, hip and spine extension exercises, saccule activation lunge exercises, slap tap coordination exercises, and pinhole glasses exercises to enhance motor control, balance, and cognitive performance. Receives: Behavioral: Neuroathletic Training Protocol |
| Standard Warm-Up | Active comparator | Participants will perform a 20-minute standard warm-up protocol consisting of 10 minutes of light walking at a moderate pace on flat terrain, followed by 10 minutes of dynamic stretching exercises (10 repetitions each of leg swings, hip flexor stretches, knee hugs, high knees, butt kicks, arm circles, and trunk rotations). This protocol serves as a control to compare against the neuroathletic training intervention. Receives: Behavioral: Standard Warm-Up Protocol |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Gluteus Maximus Muscle Strength (Newton)
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.
Measured: Baseline, Immediately Post-Intervention, 15 Minutes Post, 30 Minutes Post
Erector Spinae Endurance (Seconds)
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.
Measured: Baseline, Immediately Post-Intervention, 15 Minutes Post, 30 Minutes Post
Knee Joint Proprioception (Degrees)
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.
Measured: Baseline, Immediately Post-Intervention, 15 Minutes Post, 30 Minutes Post
Dynamic Balance (Percent Reach Distance)
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.
Measured: Baseline, Immediately Post-Intervention, 15 Minutes Post, 30 Minutes Post
Cognitive Performance - Stroop Test Reaction Time
Assesses selective attention and cognitive interference using the Stroop Color-Word Test. Reaction time is recorded in milliseconds during the incongruent trial phase.
Measured: Baseline, Immediately Post-Intervention, 15 Minutes Post, 30 Minutes Post
Cognitive Performance - Stroop Test Error Count
Assesses accuracy during the Stroop Color-Word Test. The number of errors made during the incongruent trials is recorded.
Measured: Baseline, Immediately Post-Intervention, 15 Minutes Post, 30 Minutes Post
Cognitive Performance - Trail Making Test Completion Time
Assesses visual attention and task-switching using Trail Making Test Parts A and B. Time to complete each part is recorded in seconds.
Measured: Baseline, Immediately Post-Intervention, 15 Minutes Post, 30 Minutes Post
Cognitive Performance - Trail Making Test Error Count
Assesses accuracy during Trail Making Test Parts A and B. The number of errors committed during each test part is recorded.
Measured: Baseline, Immediately Post-Intervention, 15 Minutes Post, 30 Minutes Post
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted12 Aug 2025
- Study start11 Apr 2025
- Primary completion13 May 2025
- Study completion15 Jul 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Neuroathletic TrainingStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Parallel group design with two arms (experimental and control). Participants are randomly assigned to either the neuroathletic training group or the standard warm-up control group. Each group undergoes a single 20-minute intervention session, with outcomes measured at baseline, immediately post-intervention, 15 minutes post-intervention, and 30 minutes post-intervention. This design allows for direct comparison of the acute effects of neuroathletic training versus a standard warm-up protocol on the specified outcomes.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 52 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, caglar soylu, Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07117357
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2025-49
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 5 Aug 2025
- Last updated
- 10 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared due to institutional data protection policies and ethical considerations. The collected data are limited to the scope of the approved protocol and will only be used for internal analysis by the research team.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 10 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Acute Effects of Neuroathletic Training on Posterior Chain Muscle Strength, Endurance, Proprioception, Dynamic Balance, and Cognitive Performance in Non-Athletic Individuals
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07117357
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2025-49
- Conditions
- Neuroathletic Training, Posterior Chain Muscle Strength, Gluteus Maximus, Hamstrings, Erector Spinae Endurance, Proprioception
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 52 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 11 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 13 May 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Jul 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 12 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Parallel group design with two arms (experimental and control). Participants are randomly assigned to either the neuroathletic training group or the standard warm-up control group. Each group undergoes a single 20-minute intervention session, with outcomes measured at baseline, immediately post-intervention, 15 minutes post-intervention, and 30 minutes post-intervention. This design allows for direct comparison of the acute effects of neuroathletic training versus a standard warm-up protocol on the specified outcomes.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Neuroathletic Training | Experimental | Behavioral: Neuroathletic Training ProtocolParticipants will undergo a 20-minute neuroathletic training protocol using the Z-Health® kit, targeting visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive systems. The protocol includes visual reset exercises (eye massage, palming), star chart eye muscle training, saccade training with letter cards, convergence-divergence training, Brock string training, hip and spine extension exercises, saccule activation lunge exercises, slap tap coordination exercises, and pinhole glasses exercises to enhance motor control, balance, and cognitive performance. |
| Standard Warm-Up | Active comparator | Behavioral: Standard Warm-Up ProtocolParticipants will perform a 20-minute standard warm-up protocol consisting of 10 minutes of light walking at a moderate pace on flat terrain, followed by 10 minutes of dynamic stretching exercises (10 repetitions each of leg swings, hip flexor stretches, knee hugs, high knees, butt kicks, arm circles, and trunk rotations). This protocol serves as a control to compare against the neuroathletic training intervention. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- 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.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 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.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Neuroathletic Training ProtocolAlso: Z-Health®-based neuroathletic trainingThis 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. | Behavioural | Neuroathletic Training |
| Standard Warm-Up ProtocolThis 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. | Behavioural | Standard Warm-Up |
Primary outcome
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 10 Mar 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared due to institutional data protection policies and ethical considerations. The collected data are limited to the scope of the approved protocol and will only be used for internal analysis by the research team.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Neuroathletic Training Protocol and Standard Warm-Up Protocol in people with Neuroathletic Training and Posterior Chain Muscle Strength, run by Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 10 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Gluteus Maximus Muscle Strength (Newton) (time frame: Baseline, Immediately Post-Intervention, 15 Minutes Post, 30 Minutes Post). The study lists 8 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 10 Mar 2026.