Executive Functions (EF)NCT07692698
Effects of Cognitive Training on Executive Functions and Decision-Making in Adolescent Female Volleyball Players
A study testing Tablet-Based Cognitive Training and Routine Volleyball Training in people with Executive Functions (EF) and Decision Making, run by Firat University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of a four-week tablet-based cognitive training program on executive functions and on-court decision-making performance in adolescent female volleyball players. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 12 to 14 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Executive Functions (EF), Decision Making, Volleyball
- What is being tested?
- Tablet-Based Cognitive Training and Routine Volleyball Training
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine, 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
- 2 May 2026to 15 Jun 2026
- 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 12 to 14 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Female volleyball players aged 12 to 14 years.
- Licensed volleyball players with at least 1 year of playing experience.
- Regular participation in volleyball training during the previous 6 months.
- Written informed consent obtained from both participants and their parents/legal guardians.
Who cannot join
- History of neurological or psychiatric disorders.
- Visual or hearing impairment that could affect cognitive testing.
- Serious musculoskeletal injury within the previous 6 months.
- Previous participation in a structured cognitive training program.
- Injury during the study period or incomplete participation in the assessment procedures.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effects of a Short-Term Cognitive Training Programme on Executive Functions and On-Court Decision-Making Performance in Adolescent Female Volleyball Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of a four-week tablet-based cognitive training program on executive functions and on-court decision-making performance in adolescent female volleyball players. Fifty licensed female volleyball players aged 12 to 14 years were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group received cognitive training three times per week in addition to routine volleyball training, while the control group continued routine training only. Executive functions were assessed using the Stroop Test, Trail Making Test-A, Go/No-Go Test, and 2-Back Test. Volleyball-specific decision-making performance was evaluated using a video-based temporal occlusion test. The study investigates whether improvements in executive functions following cognitive training transfer to sport-specific decision-making performance.
Read the detailed description
Executive functions, including inhibitory control, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and attentional control, play an important role in sports requiring rapid perception and decision-making, such as volleyball. Although previous studies have shown that cognitive training can improve executive functions, evidence regarding the transfer of these improvements to sport-specific performance remains inconsistent.
The purpose of this randomized controlled study is to investigate the effects of a short-term tablet-based cognitive training program on executive functions and volleyball-specific on-court decision-making performance in adolescent female volleyball players.
Fifty licensed female volleyball players aged 12 to 14 years participated in the study. Participants were randomly allocated to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group completed a four-week cognitive training program consisting of three supervised sessions per week (20-30 minutes per session) in addition to routine volleyball training. The control group continued routine volleyball training without additional cognitive training.
Primary assessments included executive function measures obtained using the Stroop Test, Trail Making Test-A (TMT-A), Go/No-Go Test, and 2-Back Test. Volleyball-specific decision-making performance was evaluated using a video-based temporal occlusion paradigm, with decision-making accuracy and response time recorded before and after the intervention.
The study aims to determine whether short-term cognitive training improves executive function performance (near transfer) and whether these cognitive improvements translate into enhanced sport-specific decision-making performance (far transfer) in adolescent female volleyball players.
- Conditions
- Executive Functions (EF), Decision Making, Volleyball
- Being tested
- Tablet-Based Cognitive Training, Routine Volleyball Training
- Keywords
- Cognitive Training, Executive Function, Adolescent Athletes, Volleyball, Near Transfer, Far Transfer
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Tablet-Based Cognitive TrainingBehavioural
A structured four-week tablet-based cognitive training program was administered three times per week for approximately 20-30 minutes per session. The program included computerized exercises targeting inhibitory control, working memory, cognitive flexibility, attention, and processing speed using validated cognitive training applications.
Routine Volleyball TrainingOther
Participants continued their routine volleyball training according to their regular training schedule.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Training Group | Experimental | Participants received a four-week tablet-based cognitive training program (20-30 minutes/session, three sessions/week) in addition to their routine volleyball training. Receives: Behavioral: Tablet-Based Cognitive Training; Other: Routine Volleyball Training |
| Control Group | Active comparator | Participants continued their routine volleyball training without additional cognitive training. Receives: Other: Routine Volleyball Training |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Stroop Interference Time
Change from baseline to Week 4 in Stroop interference time, calculated as the difference between the mean reaction time under incongruent and neutral conditions, measured in milliseconds (ms) using the computerized Stroop Color and Word Test.
Measured: Baseline and Week 4
Change in Trail Making Test-A Completion Time
Change from baseline to Week 4 in the time required to complete the Trail Making Test-A, measured in seconds (s).
Measured: Baseline and Week 4
Change in Go/No-Go Reaction Time
Change from baseline to Week 4 in mean reaction time during the computerized Go/No-Go Test, measured in milliseconds (ms) during correct Go responses.
Measured: Baseline and Week 4
Change in 2-Back Accuracy
Change from baseline to Week 4 in working memory accuracy during the computerized 2-Back Test, measured as percentage of correct responses (%).
Measured: Baseline and Week 4
Change in 2-Back Reaction Time
Change from baseline to Week 4 in mean reaction time during correct responses in the computerized 2-Back Test, measured in milliseconds (ms).
Measured: Baseline and Week 4
Secondary outcomes (2)
Change in On-Court Decision-Making Accuracy
Change from baseline to Week 4 in volleyball-specific decision-making accuracy assessed using a video-based temporal occlusion test, measured as the number of correct decisions (0-25).
Measured: Baseline and Week 4
Change in On-Court Decision-Making Response Time
Change from baseline to Week 4 in volleyball-specific decision-making response time assessed using a video-based temporal occlusion test, measured in milliseconds (ms).
Measured: Baseline and Week 4
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 Jul 2026
- Study start2 May 2026
- Primary completion15 Jun 2026
- Study completion15 Jun 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Executive Functions (EF)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups. The intervention group received a four-week tablet-based cognitive training program in addition to routine volleyball training, whereas the control group continued routine volleyball training without cognitive training.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 52 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Firat University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Muharrem Gökhan Beydağı, Firat University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07692698
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- FU_MGBeydagi_Vole_B_2026/06-29
- Status last verified
- Nov 2026
- First submitted
- 29 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 6 Nov 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Individual participant data (de-identified) that underlie the results reported in this study will be made available upon reasonable request to the corresponding author. Data will be available beginning 6 months after publication and ending 5 years after publication. Researchers who provide a methodologically sound proposal for achieving the aims of an approved proposal will be granted access after signing a data access agreement.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 6 Nov 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of a Short-Term Cognitive Training Programme on Executive Functions and On-Court Decision-Making Performance in Adolescent Female Volleyball Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07692698
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- FU_MGBeydagi_Vole_B_2026/06-29
- Conditions
- Executive Functions (EF), Decision Making, Volleyball
- Keywords
- Cognitive Training, Executive Function, Adolescent Athletes, Volleyball, Near Transfer, Far Transfer
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 52 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Firat UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 2 May 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Jun 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 9 Jul 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.
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of a four-week tablet-based cognitive training program on executive functions and on-court decision-making performance in adolescent female volleyball players. Fifty licensed female volleyball players aged 12 to 14 years were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group received cognitive training three times per week in addition to routine volleyball training, while the control group continued routine training only. Executive functions were assessed using the Stroop Test, Trail Making Test-A, Go/No-Go Test, and 2-Back Test. Volleyball-specific decision-making performance was evaluated using a video-based temporal occlusion test. The study investigates whether improvements in executive functions following cognitive training transfer to sport-specific decision-making performance.
Detailed description
Executive functions, including inhibitory control, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and attentional control, play an important role in sports requiring rapid perception and decision-making, such as volleyball. Although previous studies have shown that cognitive training can improve executive functions, evidence regarding the transfer of these improvements to sport-specific performance remains inconsistent.
The purpose of this randomized controlled study is to investigate the effects of a short-term tablet-based cognitive training program on executive functions and volleyball-specific on-court decision-making performance in adolescent female volleyball players.
Fifty licensed female volleyball players aged 12 to 14 years participated in the study. Participants were randomly allocated to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group completed a four-week cognitive training program consisting of three supervised sessions per week (20-30 minutes per session) in addition to routine volleyball training. The control group continued routine volleyball training without additional cognitive training.
Primary assessments included executive function measures obtained using the Stroop Test, Trail Making Test-A (TMT-A), Go/No-Go Test, and 2-Back Test. Volleyball-specific decision-making performance was evaluated using a video-based temporal occlusion paradigm, with decision-making accuracy and response time recorded before and after the intervention.
The study aims to determine whether short-term cognitive training improves executive function performance (near transfer) and whether these cognitive improvements translate into enhanced sport-specific decision-making performance (far transfer) in adolescent female volleyball players.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups. The intervention group received a four-week tablet-based cognitive training program in addition to routine volleyball training, whereas the control group continued routine volleyball training without cognitive training.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Training Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Tablet-Based Cognitive Training, Other: Routine Volleyball TrainingParticipants received a four-week tablet-based cognitive training program (20-30 minutes/session, three sessions/week) in addition to their routine volleyball training. |
| Control Group | Active comparator | Other: Routine Volleyball TrainingParticipants continued their routine volleyball training without additional cognitive training. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 12 to 14 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Female volleyball players aged 12 to 14 years.
- Licensed volleyball players with at least 1 year of playing experience.
- Regular participation in volleyball training during the previous 6 months.
- Written informed consent obtained from both participants and their parents/legal guardians.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- History of neurological or psychiatric disorders.
- Visual or hearing impairment that could affect cognitive testing.
- Serious musculoskeletal injury within the previous 6 months.
- Previous participation in a structured cognitive training program.
- Injury during the study period or incomplete participation in the assessment procedures.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tablet-Based Cognitive TrainingA structured four-week tablet-based cognitive training program was administered three times per week for approximately 20-30 minutes per session. The program included computerized exercises targeting inhibitory control, working memory, cognitive flexibility, attention, and processing speed using validated cognitive training applications. | Behavioural | Cognitive Training Group |
| Routine Volleyball TrainingParticipants continued their routine volleyball training according to their regular training schedule. | Other | Cognitive Training Group, Control Group |
Primary outcome
Change in Stroop Interference Time
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4
Change from baseline to Week 4 in Stroop interference time, calculated as the difference between the mean reaction time under incongruent and neutral conditions, measured in milliseconds (ms) using the computerized Stroop Color and Word Test.
Change in Trail Making Test-A Completion Time
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4
Change from baseline to Week 4 in the time required to complete the Trail Making Test-A, measured in seconds (s).
Change in Go/No-Go Reaction Time
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4
Change from baseline to Week 4 in mean reaction time during the computerized Go/No-Go Test, measured in milliseconds (ms) during correct Go responses.
Change in 2-Back Accuracy
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4
Change from baseline to Week 4 in working memory accuracy during the computerized 2-Back Test, measured as percentage of correct responses (%).
Change in 2-Back Reaction Time
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4
Change from baseline to Week 4 in mean reaction time during correct responses in the computerized 2-Back Test, measured in milliseconds (ms).
2 secondary outcomes
Change in On-Court Decision-Making Accuracy
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4
Change in On-Court Decision-Making Response Time
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4
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 6 Nov 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Individual participant data (de-identified) that underlie the results reported in this study will be made available upon reasonable request to the corresponding author. Data will be available beginning 6 months after publication and ending 5 years after publication. Researchers who provide a methodologically sound proposal for achieving the aims of an approved proposal will be granted access after signing a data access 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. 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 Tablet-Based Cognitive Training and Routine Volleyball Training in people with Executive Functions (EF) and Decision Making, run by Firat 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 4 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 6 Nov 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?
Change in Stroop Interference Time (time frame: Baseline and Week 4). The study lists 5 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 6 Nov 2026.