The Effect of Neuromotor-Cognitive Training on Performance Dancers

NCT07730710 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: yeditepe05
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This prospective randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effects of neuromotor-cognitive training on dynamic balance, reaction time, and sensorimotor performance in performance dancers. The main hypotheses are: H0: There is no difference in dynamic balance, reaction time, and sensorimotor performance between performance dancers who receive neuromotor-cognitive training and those who follow their routine training schedule. H1: Performance dancers who receive neuromotor-cognitive training show significant improvements in dynamic balance, reaction time, and sensorimotor performance compared to those who follow their routine training schedule.

Conditions

Sensorimotor Performance; Postural Balance; Reaction Time; Neuromuscular Control

Keywords

Performance Dancers; Neuromotor-Cognitive Training; Dynamic Balance; Visual Stimulus Systems; Cognitive Load; Y-Balance Test; Reactive Agility

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Y-Balance Test (YBT)

  The Y-Balance Test will be used as the primary outcome measure to objectively evaluate the dynamic balance and postural control of the performance dancers. Participants will perform maximal reach tasks in three distinct directions: anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral, while standing on a single limb. The reach distances will be normalized to the participant's leg length, and a comprehensive composite score will be calculated. Higher composite scores represent superior dynamic balance and enhanced neuromuscular control.

  The 8-week period between July 2026 and September 2026

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Reactive Jumping and Landing Test

  The 8-week period between July 2026 and September 2026

• Y-Shaped Reactive Agility Test

  The 8-week period between July 2026 and September 2026

Study Arms (2)

Neuromotor-Cognitive Training Group

EXPERIMENTAL

This group will receive a structured, technology-supported training protocol incorporating visual stimulus systems (such as BLAZEPOD®) alongside their routine training schedule to enhance neuromuscular control, dynamic balance, and cognitive processing speed.

Behavioral: Neuromotor-Cognitive Training

Routine Training Group

NO INTERVENTION

This group will maintain their regular and routine dance practice schedules at the academy during the study period, without receiving any additional technology-supported neuromotor-cognitive training protocols.

Interventions

Neuromotor-Cognitive Training BEHAVIORAL

A structured, technology-supported training protocol incorporating visual stimulus systems to enhance neuromuscular control, dynamic balance, and cognitive processing speed.

Neuromotor-Cognitive Training Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Being a professional or performance dancer actively training at the Aytunç Bentürk Dance Academy.
• Being between 18 and 25 years of age.
• Volunteering to participate in the study and providing written informed consent.
• Having no orthopedic, neurological, or systemic injuries in the lower extremities within the last 6 months that could affect balance and motor performance.

You may not qualify if:

• Having a history of major orthopedic surgery in the lower extremities.
• Any uncorrected visual or vestibular impairments that could negatively affect reaction time or postural control.
• Acute musculoskeletal pain or injury during the baseline assessment period.
• Failure to complete the baseline measurements or formal training sessions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Yeditepe University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Yeditepe University Faculty of Health Sciences

Istanbul, İ̇stanbul, 34755, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (18)

• Ortiz A, Olson S, Libby CL, Kwon YH, Trudelle-Jackson E. Kinematic and kinetic reliability of two jumping and landing physical performance tasks in young adult women. N Am J Sports Phys Ther. 2007 May;2(2):104-12.

  PMID: 21522208 BACKGROUND

• Sheppard JM, Young WB, Doyle TL, Sheppard TA, Newton RU. An evaluation of a new test of reactive agility and its relationship to sprint speed and change of direction speed. J Sci Med Sport. 2006 Aug;9(4):342-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2006.05.019. Epub 2006 Jul 17.

  PMID: 16844413 BACKGROUND

• Westrick RB, Miller JM, Carow SD, Gerber JP. Exploration of the y-balance test for assessment of upper quarter closed kinetic chain performance. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2012 Apr;7(2):139-47.

  PMID: 22530188 BACKGROUND

• Mancini N, Mancini S, Ferrantino M, Moscatelli F, Messina G, Monda M, Ruberto M, Vasco P, Casella C, Colecchia FP, Messina A, Polito R. Effects of a Proprioceptive Training Program on Dynamic Balance and Neuromotor Performance in Adolescent Latin American Dancers. Sports (Basel). 2025 Nov 4;13(11):388. doi: 10.3390/sports13110388.

  PMID: 41295771 BACKGROUND

• Marchant DC. Attentional focusing instructions and force production. Front Psychol. 2011 Jan 26;1:210. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2010.00210. eCollection 2010.

  PMID: 21833266 BACKGROUND

• Peh SY, Chow JY, Davids K. Focus of attention and its impact on movement behaviour. J Sci Med Sport. 2011 Jan;14(1):70-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2010.07.002. Epub 2010 Aug 19.

  PMID: 20727824 BACKGROUND

• Veale JP, Pearce AJ, Carlson JS. Reliability and validity of a reactive agility test for Australian football. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2010 Jun;5(2):239-48. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.5.2.239.

  PMID: 20625196 BACKGROUND

• Muelas Perez R, Sabido Solana R, Barbado Murillo D, Moreno Hernandez FJ. Visual availability, balance performance and movement complexity in dancers. Gait Posture. 2014 Sep;40(4):556-60. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2014.06.021. Epub 2014 Jul 17.

  PMID: 25086798 BACKGROUND

• Badau A. Identifying the Qualities of Attention and the Attentional Style in Indoor Team Sports: A Gender Comparison. Brain Sci. 2024 Jun 21;14(7):623. doi: 10.3390/brainsci14070623.

  PMID: 39061364 BACKGROUND

• Nam SM, Park JW, Ko JH, Kim MJ. The Difference Between Expert Dancers' and Non-Dancers Tapping Timing With and Without an Auditory Stimulus at a Slow Tempo. Percept Mot Skills. 2024 Aug;131(4):1398-1414. doi: 10.1177/00315125241262547. Epub 2024 Jun 14.

  PMID: 38876089 BACKGROUND

• Huang HJ, Mercer VS. Dual-task methodology: applications in studies of cognitive and motor performance in adults and children. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2001 Fall;13(3):133-40.

  PMID: 17053670 BACKGROUND

• Skoe E, Krizman J, Anderson S, Kraus N. Stability and plasticity of auditory brainstem function across the lifespan. Cereb Cortex. 2015 Jun;25(6):1415-26. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bht311. Epub 2013 Dec 22.

  PMID: 24366906 BACKGROUND

• Kuczynski M, Szymanska M, Biec E. Dual-task effect on postural control in high-level competitive dancers. J Sports Sci. 2011 Mar;29(5):539-45. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2010.544046.

  PMID: 21294035 BACKGROUND

• Nigmatullina Y, Hellyer PJ, Nachev P, Sharp DJ, Seemungal BM. The neuroanatomical correlates of training-related perceptuo-reflex uncoupling in dancers. Cereb Cortex. 2015 Feb;25(2):554-62. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bht266. Epub 2013 Sep 26.

  PMID: 24072889 BACKGROUND

• Golomer E, Cremieux J, Dupui P, Isableu B, Ohlmann T. Visual contribution to self-induced body sway frequencies and visual perception of male professional dancers. Neurosci Lett. 1999 Jun 4;267(3):189-92. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3940(99)00356-0.

  PMID: 10381008 BACKGROUND

• Paillard T. Plasticity of the postural function to sport and/or motor experience. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2017 Jan;72:129-152. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.11.015. Epub 2016 Nov 26.

  PMID: 27894829 BACKGROUND

• Sirois-Leclerc G, Remaud A, Bilodeau M. Dynamic postural control and associated attentional demands in contemporary dancers versus non-dancers. PLoS One. 2017 Mar 21;12(3):e0173795. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0173795. eCollection 2017.

  PMID: 28323843 BACKGROUND

• Hugel F, Cadopi M, Kohler F, Perrin P. Postural control of ballet dancers: a specific use of visual input for artistic purposes. Int J Sports Med. 1999 Feb;20(2):86-92. doi: 10.1055/s-2007-971098.

  PMID: 10190767 BACKGROUND

Central Study Contacts

Aslı Yeral, Asst. Prof. Dr

CONTACT

0537 965 8494; asli.yeral@yeditepe.edu.tr

Zeynep İnan

CONTACT

0539 356 8804; zeynep.inan@yeditepe.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: The investigator responsible for conducting the pre- and post-test assessments is blinded to the group allocation of the participants.
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 23, 2026
• First Posted: July 28, 2026
• Study Start: July 10, 2026
• Primary Completion: July 27, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 30, 2026
• Last Updated: July 28, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)