Development and reliability of a framework to assess cognitive-motor function in sport

BACKGROUND: Reduced cognitive ability may affect sports performance and increase injury risk. Current cognitive function screening tools in athletes include stationary procedures that may lack external validity, whole-body movements, and time constraints. We aimed to study the reliability and the between- and within-session variations of newly developed cognitive-motor tests. METHODS: Twelve physically active participants participated in two experimental sessions. In each session, they completed a test battery to assess sport-relevant cognitive-motor domains (reaction time, processing speed, divided attention, visual memory, peripheral vision) using a specific training system, including devices with a LED matrix and proximity sensor. Each test comprised three blocks of 25 trials or 4 blocks of 20 trials. Test-retest reliability was assessed using two-way mixed-effects intraclass correlation coefficient. Within- and between-session changes were assessed using repeated measures ANOVA and ...