The Top 2-inches: Evaluating Perceptual-Cognitive Training Tools

by Derek Panchuk - September 10, 2019

I’ve been immersed in the world of sport technology for the past couple of weeks and have had some really interesting conversations about how technology can help (or in some cases hinder) sport performance. One aspect that I’m always drawn to is the potential benefits of using technology to improve an athletes perceptual and cognitive skills.

While most training programs tend to focus on an athlete’s physical characteristics, there has always been at least a passing interest in the “mental” skills that underpin performance. I use quotations because I’m not talking about psychological skills like imagery, goal setting, etc. but referring to the skills that help athletes see the right information and make good decisions. For an example of what can happen when these skills go wrong, have a look at the video below!

In this week’s article,...

Ryan Harrison, Dir of Training for NDVPerformance and Herb Yoo, CTO and co-founder at SENAPTEC discuss the importance and value of Performance Vision.

The SENAPTEC radar chart allows coaches, trainers, and athletes to recognize the importance of Performance Vision beyond the traditional measurements of visual acuity. Good vision is certainly the foundation but visual performance is more related to how the brain sees vs just the eyes. SENAPTEC performance vision assessment measures various dimensions including:

• Visual acuity
• Contrast sensitivity
• Depth perception
• Near-far quickness
• Perception span
• Multiple object tracking
• Reaction time
• Target capture
• Eye-hand coordination
• Go/no go decision making

The advantage of this tool is the ability to compare performance vs peers. In addition, it can show improvements vs initial baseline, as in the case discussed involving a concussion patient before and after training.

For additional scientific information on SENAPTEC 

• Sports vision...

Highlights from our roundtable discussion with our partners from SHARPR group discussing the opportunity for coaches and clinics to add Performance Vision training as an integral part of their daily training routine.

Key points

• Performance Vision is a BIG opportunity. 200 million + may benefit from the opportunity to improve human performance through performance vision training
  • eSport: 250 Million enthusiasts need cognitive and physical training. The eSport market is growing @ +16% CAGR reaching $1.1B 
  • Student-athletes: 8.5 M Student-athletes supported by 400K gatekeepers (Coaches, athletic trainers, Allied health professionals) $15B youth sport market
  • Meditation & Mindfulness: 9.3 million Americans meditate, fueling a $1+ billion industry +11%, estimated to be $2Bn 2022
  • ACTIVE boomers: 75 Million baby boomers need cognitive and physical exercise. This market is both affluent with 2/3 of disposable income (US) and has more time to exercise...

What is Neurodynamic Vision Training?

Reference article: The NeuroTracker Team, May 17, 2019

Across pro sports, neurodynamic vision training is being recognized as an untapped source of potential competitive advantage. The neurodynamic vision approach is a holistic way to combine physical athletic training with visual performance skills such as focus, accuracy, multitasking and visual endurance. As such, specialists from a variety of fields are sprouting up dedicated performance centers all over North America and Europe.

Neurodynamic Vision Concepts

In the same way that an athlete improves sports performance by training the body for strength and endurance, visual skills can be improved and enhanced through a wide range of conditioning techniques. These are some examples of specific visual functions that vision specialists typically train.

Peripheral Awareness – allows perception of what’s going on at either side of you without turning your head

Dynamic Visual...