Athletic PerformanceNCT07579676
DEVELOPMENT AND PSYCHOMETRIC EVALUATION OF THE NEUROCOGNITIVE UPPER EXTREMITY TESTS: A RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY STUDY
An observational study of Athletic Performance and Upper Extremity, run by Hacettepe University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
The goal of this observational study is to develop an upper extremity neurocognitive performance test battery, determine its reliability and validity, and investigate the effect of neurocognitive load on test performance in athletes and healthy volunteers aged 18-40. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 40 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Athletic Performance, Upper Extremity, Cognition
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 5 May 2026to 5 Jul 2026
- How long will I take part?
- 1 Week
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 40 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Study population: Participants are selected based on their availability and meeting specific inclusion criteria from targeted environments (sports clubs and clinics) rather than random selection from the general population. Primary Location: The study is conducted at the Hacettepe University, Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Department of Sports Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation in Ankara, Turkey. Athlete Cohort: Participants are recruited from local sports clubs operating in Ankara and individuals who have applied to the same university. Control Cohort: Healthy, non-athlete individuals are recruited from those applying to the same university who meet the specific activity-level requirements for the control group. Geographic Context: The population is primarily composed of individuals residing in or around the Ankara who can visit the clinic for assessment. Setting: All evaluations take place in a specialized clinical biomechanics and sports rehabilitation laboratory environment.
Who may be able to join
- General Inclusion Criteria (Both Groups):
- Individuals between the ages of 18 and 40
- No passive range of motion limitations in the shoulder joint
- Classified as healthy with no history of injury in the past year according to the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire
- Volunteered to participate in the study[cite: 1].
- Athlete Group Specific Criteria:
Show all 15Show fewer
- Physically active individuals
- Currently active in sports clubs in Ankara and/or applied to the Hacettepe University Department of Sports Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
- History of training or physical activity at least three times a week for the past year
- Participation in recreational or competitive above or below shoulder height sports
- Control Group Specific Criteria:
- Healthy individuals who have applied to the Hacettepe University Department of Sports Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Unit
- Does not engage in regular physical activity
- History of training or physical activity fewer than three times a week over the past year
- No participation in recreational or competitive sports
Who cannot join
- Presence of symptomatic upper extremity pathology
- History of upper extremity and/or trunk injury or surgery in the last 12 months
- History of ongoing neck pain, neurological symptoms in any extremity, or back, hip, or knee pain in the last 12 months
- Presence of a health condition that could cause a decrease in shoulder strength, such as inflammatory arthritis or neurological disorders
- Presence of any systemic disease
- Presence of visual or hearing impairments
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Hacettepe University, Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Department of Sports Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
Ankara
Volga Bayrakcı Tunay, PT, PhD, Professsor, +905323547626, volgamel@yahoo.com
About this study
The goal of this observational study is to develop an upper extremity neurocognitive performance test battery, determine its reliability and validity, and investigate the effect of neurocognitive load on test performance in athletes and healthy volunteers aged 18-40.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Read more
Are the developed upper extremity neurocognitive tests reliable and valid tool for assessment?
Does the addition of neurocognitive load significantly affect upper extremity physical performance scores?
Are the neurocognitive performance test results related to shoulder rotator cuff muscle strength, rate of force development, and shoulder function?
Researchers will compare the neurocognitive performance of athletes to healthy non-athlete individuals to see if the test battery can effectively differentiate between these two groups (discriminative validity).
Participants will:
Complete demographic forms and questionnaires regarding activity level and shoulder function.
Undergo shoulder range of motion and isometric strength/rate of force development assessments.
Perform a battery of 4 neurocognitive tests integrated with a light-based reaction system.
Perform the same functional tests without neurocognitive load to serve as a baseline for comparison.
(Athletes only) Attend additional sessions to evaluate the feasibility of the tests and to assess test-retest reliability with a one-week interval.
Read the detailed description
This study focuses on the integration of physical and cognitive components to assess athletic performance through the development of a specific Upper Extremity Neurocognitive Performance Tests. While traditional functional tests often focus on pre-planned motor tasks, this research aims to simulate real-world sports environments by incorporating reactive and cognitive demands. Study Methodology and Testing Protocol The research is conducted at the Hacettepe University, Department of Sports Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation.
The evaluation involves several specialized assessments:
Neurocognitive Performance Test Battery: Utilizing a light-based reaction system, four specific tests have been developed to measure reactive agility and decision-making under load:
Neurocognitive Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Quarter Stability Test (N-CKCUQST): Participants perform hand transfer tasks in a plank position while responding to specific target colors.
Neurocognitive Open Kinetic Chain 90-90 Wall Throw Test (N-OKCWTT): Participants perform rhythmic wall throws while reacting to light stimuli. Neurocognitive 90-90 Medicine Ball Drop Test (N-MBDT): Assesses reactive catching control and hand-eye coordination under cognitive load. Neurocognitive Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test (N-UQYBT): A modified version of the traditional Y-Balance test that incorporates a visual-motor response at 80% of the participant's maximum reach.
Physical Performance Comparisons: To isolate the impact of cognitive load, participants also perform traditional versions of these tests without the light-based reaction stimuli.
Strength and Power Metrics: Isometric strength and the Rate of Force Development (RFD) for the shoulder internal and external rotators are measured using the ForceFrame dynamometer. Additionally, the Athletic Shoulder (ASH) Test is utilized on a force platform to evaluate bilateral functional strength in the I, Y, and T positions.
Session Structure Athlete Group: Participation consists of three separate sessions. The first session focuses on feasibility and familiarization. The second session involves comprehensive evaluation and validity analysis. The third session, conducted one week later, is dedicated to test-retest reliability.
Control Group: Healthy, non-athlete volunteers participate in a single evaluation session to establish the discriminative validity of the test battery.
Safety and Data Integrity: All assessments are non-invasive and conducted by experienced physiotherapists. To ensure the accuracy of the performance evaluation, video recordings are taken during the neurocognitive tests, which are stored in encrypted digital environments and deleted five years after the study's completion. All participants are required to avoid high-intensity physical activity for 48 hours prior to testing.
- Keywords
- shoulder, Reaction Time, Muscle Strength, Reproducibility of Results
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Athlete Group | This group consists healthy, physically active individuals aged 18-40 who are currently active in sports clubs in Ankara or have applied to the Hacettepe University, Department of Sports Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation. Participants must have been training at least three times a week for the past year and have no history of upper extremity injury or surgery in the last 12 months. This cohort will participate in three separate sessions to assess the feasibility, validity, and test-retest reliability of the neurocognitive test battery. | |
| Non-Athlete Group | This group consists healthy individuals aged 18-40 who meet the general inclusion criteria but do not engage in regular physical activity (defined as exercising fewer than three times a week over the past year). These participants are recruited from healthy individuals applying to the Hacettepe University Sports Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Unit. This cohort will undergo a single evaluation session to determine the discriminative validity of the test battery by comparing their results to the athlete group. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Test-Retest Reliability of the Neurocognitive Test Battery
Evaluated using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) to determine the consistency of scores obtained from the four neurocognitive tests when administered one week apart to the athlete group.
Measured: Baseline (Session 2) and 1 week later (Session 3)
Concurrent Validity
Measured by analyzing the correlation (Pearson or Spearman coefficients) between the neurocognitive performance test results and physical parameters, including shoulder rotator cuff isometric strength and Rate of Force Development (RFD).
Measured: During the second evaluation session (approx. 60 minutes).
Discriminative Validity
Measured by comparing the neurocognitive performance scores between the athlete group and the healthy control group to determine if the battery can distinguish between different activity levels.
Measured: Single evaluation session (approx. 60 minutes).
Secondary outcomes (1)
Dual-Task Interference
Comparison of performance scores (number of touches or tosses) between tasks performed with neurocognitive load (reactive lights) and traditional versions of the same tests without cognitive load.
Measured: During the second evaluation session (approx. 60 minutes)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted12 May 2026
- Study start5 May 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion5 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion5 Jul 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Athletic PerformanceStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Hacettepe 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
- Observational
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
- Target duration
- 1 Week
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Hacettepe University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Elif Turgut, Hacettepe University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07579676
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- FTREK26/25
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 5 May 2026
- Last updated
- 12 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided: The research team has not yet established a definitive plan for sharing individual participant data (IPD). The decision will be finalized upon the completion of the study, following the analysis of the results and ensuring full compliance with the institutional policies of Hacettepe University and the specific conditions set by the Ethics Committee. Any potential data sharing will strictly involve de-identified data to ensure participant confidentiality and will be subject to a formal data use agreement.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 12 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- DEVELOPMENT AND PSYCHOMETRIC EVALUATION OF THE NEUROCOGNITIVE UPPER EXTREMITY TESTS: A RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY STUDY
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07579676
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- FTREK26/25
- Keywords
- shoulder, Reaction Time, Muscle Strength, Reproducibility of Results
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Hacettepe UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 5 May 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 5 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 5 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 12 May 2026 (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.
The goal of this observational study is to develop an upper extremity neurocognitive performance test battery, determine its reliability and validity, and investigate the effect of neurocognitive load on test performance in athletes and healthy volunteers aged 18-40.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Are the developed upper extremity neurocognitive tests reliable and valid tool for assessment?
Does the addition of neurocognitive load significantly affect upper extremity physical performance scores?
Are the neurocognitive performance test results related to shoulder rotator cuff muscle strength, rate of force development, and shoulder function?
Researchers will compare the neurocognitive performance of athletes to healthy non-athlete individuals to see if the test battery can effectively differentiate between these two groups (discriminative validity).
Participants will:
Complete demographic forms and questionnaires regarding activity level and shoulder function.
Undergo shoulder range of motion and isometric strength/rate of force development assessments.
Perform a battery of 4 neurocognitive tests integrated with a light-based reaction system.
Perform the same functional tests without neurocognitive load to serve as a baseline for comparison.
(Athletes only) Attend additional sessions to evaluate the feasibility of the tests and to assess test-retest reliability with a one-week interval.
Detailed description
This study focuses on the integration of physical and cognitive components to assess athletic performance through the development of a specific Upper Extremity Neurocognitive Performance Tests. While traditional functional tests often focus on pre-planned motor tasks, this research aims to simulate real-world sports environments by incorporating reactive and cognitive demands. Study Methodology and Testing Protocol The research is conducted at the Hacettepe University, Department of Sports Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation.
The evaluation involves several specialized assessments:
Neurocognitive Performance Test Battery: Utilizing a light-based reaction system, four specific tests have been developed to measure reactive agility and decision-making under load:
Neurocognitive Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Quarter Stability Test (N-CKCUQST): Participants perform hand transfer tasks in a plank position while responding to specific target colors.
Neurocognitive Open Kinetic Chain 90-90 Wall Throw Test (N-OKCWTT): Participants perform rhythmic wall throws while reacting to light stimuli. Neurocognitive 90-90 Medicine Ball Drop Test (N-MBDT): Assesses reactive catching control and hand-eye coordination under cognitive load. Neurocognitive Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test (N-UQYBT): A modified version of the traditional Y-Balance test that incorporates a visual-motor response at 80% of the participant's maximum reach.
Physical Performance Comparisons: To isolate the impact of cognitive load, participants also perform traditional versions of these tests without the light-based reaction stimuli.
Strength and Power Metrics: Isometric strength and the Rate of Force Development (RFD) for the shoulder internal and external rotators are measured using the ForceFrame dynamometer. Additionally, the Athletic Shoulder (ASH) Test is utilized on a force platform to evaluate bilateral functional strength in the I, Y, and T positions.
Session Structure Athlete Group: Participation consists of three separate sessions. The first session focuses on feasibility and familiarization. The second session involves comprehensive evaluation and validity analysis. The third session, conducted one week later, is dedicated to test-retest reliability.
Control Group: Healthy, non-athlete volunteers participate in a single evaluation session to establish the discriminative validity of the test battery.
Safety and Data Integrity: All assessments are non-invasive and conducted by experienced physiotherapists. To ensure the accuracy of the performance evaluation, video recordings are taken during the neurocognitive tests, which are stored in encrypted digital environments and deleted five years after the study's completion. All participants are required to avoid high-intensity physical activity for 48 hours prior to testing.
Study design
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Target follow-up
- 1 Week
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Athlete Group | – | –This group consists healthy, physically active individuals aged 18-40 who are currently active in sports clubs in Ankara or have applied to the Hacettepe University, Department of Sports Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation. Participants must have been training at least three times a week for the past year and have no history of upper extremity injury or surgery in the last 12 months. This cohort will participate in three separate sessions to assess the feasibility, validity, and test-retest reliability of the neurocognitive test battery. |
| Non-Athlete Group | – | –This group consists healthy individuals aged 18-40 who meet the general inclusion criteria but do not engage in regular physical activity (defined as exercising fewer than three times a week over the past year). These participants are recruited from healthy individuals applying to the Hacettepe University Sports Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Unit. This cohort will undergo a single evaluation session to determine the discriminative validity of the test battery by comparing their results to the athlete group. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 40 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- Participants are selected based on their availability and meeting specific inclusion criteria from targeted environments (sports clubs and clinics) rather than random selection from the general population. Primary Location: The study is conducted at the Hacettepe University, Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Department of Sports Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation in Ankara, Turkey. Athlete Cohort: Participants are recruited from local sports clubs operating in Ankara and individuals who have applied to the same university. Control Cohort: Healthy, non-athlete individuals are recruited from those applying to the same university who meet the specific activity-level requirements for the control group. Geographic Context: The population is primarily composed of individuals residing in or around the Ankara who can visit the clinic for assessment. Setting: All evaluations take place in a specialized clinical biomechanics and sports rehabilitation laboratory environment.
Key inclusion criteria (15 listed)
- Individuals between the ages of 18 and 40
- No passive range of motion limitations in the shoulder joint
- Classified as healthy with no history of injury in the past year according to the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire
- Volunteered to participate in the study[cite: 1].
- Physically active individuals
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Presence of symptomatic upper extremity pathology
- History of upper extremity and/or trunk injury or surgery in the last 12 months
- History of ongoing neck pain, neurological symptoms in any extremity, or back, hip, or knee pain in the last 12 months
- Presence of a health condition that could cause a decrease in shoulder strength, such as inflammatory arthritis or neurological disorders
- Presence of any systemic disease
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Test-Retest Reliability of the Neurocognitive Test Battery
Time frame: Baseline (Session 2) and 1 week later (Session 3)
Evaluated using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) to determine the consistency of scores obtained from the four neurocognitive tests when administered one week apart to the athlete group.
Concurrent Validity
Time frame: During the second evaluation session (approx. 60 minutes).
Measured by analyzing the correlation (Pearson or Spearman coefficients) between the neurocognitive performance test results and physical parameters, including shoulder rotator cuff isometric strength and Rate of Force Development (RFD).
Discriminative Validity
Time frame: Single evaluation session (approx. 60 minutes).
Measured by comparing the neurocognitive performance scores between the athlete group and the healthy control group to determine if the battery can distinguish between different activity levels.
1 secondary outcome
Dual-Task Interference
Time frame: During the second evaluation session (approx. 60 minutes)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 12 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided. The research team has not yet established a definitive plan for sharing individual participant data (IPD). The decision will be finalized upon the completion of the study, following the analysis of the results and ensuring full compliance with the institutional policies of Hacettepe University and the specific conditions set by the Ethics Committee. Any potential data sharing will strictly involve de-identified data to ensure participant confidentiality and will be subject to a formal data use agreement.
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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.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Athletic Performance and Upper Extremity, run by Hacettepe 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 15 inclusion and 6 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 12 May 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Elif Turgut, PT, PhD, Professor (+905442645600, elif.turgut.pt@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Test-Retest Reliability of the Neurocognitive Test Battery (time frame: Baseline (Session 2) and 1 week later (Session 3)). The study lists 3 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 12 May 2026.