Effects of Play Attention Neurofeedback on Attention and Weightlifting Performance in Adolescent Weightlifters

NCT07837310 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: GOP-PA-01-24 / August 20, 2024
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 10
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study looks at whether a 24-week neurofeedback training program called Play Attention can help adolescent weightlifters pay better attention and lift better. Neurofeedback is a computer-based training method that shows people real-time information about their own brain activity, so they can learn to control it. In this study, adolescent weightlifters take part in the Play Attention program over 24 weeks. Researchers measure the athletes' attention skills and weightlifting performance before and after the program to see whether the training made a difference. The goal is to find out if this kind of brain-training program could be a useful tool to help young athletes focus better and perform better in their sport.

Conditions

Athletic Performance; Attention; Neurofeedback; Weightlifting

Keywords

Sports performance; Cognitive training; Weightlifting; Play Attention; Attention training

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in selective and sustained attention measured by the d2 Test of Attention

  The d2 Test of Attention (Brickenkamp) is a paper-and-pencil test of selective and sustained attention and concentration. Participants scan 14 lines of 47 characters each (658 items in total) and cross out every letter "d" marked with two dashes, within a 20-second limit per line. The score used for this outcome is Concentration Performance (CP), calculated as the total number of items processed minus the total number of errors. CP ranges from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 658. Higher scores indicate better attention performance. The test will be administered at baseline and at the end of the 24-week intervention.

  Baseline and Week 24

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Change in snatch one-repetition maximum (1RM), measured in kilograms

  Baseline and week 24

• Change in clean and jerk one-repetition maximum (1RM), measured in kilograms

  Baseline and week 24

• Change in weightlifting total (sum of snatch and clean and jerk 1RM), measured in kilograms

  Baseline and week 24

Study Arms (1)

Neurofeedback Training Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Adolescent weightlifters who received a 24-week Play Attention neurofeedback training program in addition to their regular weightlifting training. Attention and weightlifting performance outcomes were assessed before and after the intervention period.

Behavioral: Play Attention Neurofeedback-Based Attention Training

Interventions

Play Attention Neurofeedback-Based Attention Training BEHAVIORAL

A commercially available neurofeedback-based attention-training system combining software with a wearable BodyWave armband, an interface unit, and Bluetooth connectivity. Participants in the experimental group completed 40 training sessions (approximately 30-40 minutes each) over 24 weeks, in addition to their routine Olympic weightlifting training. The system provides real-time visual and auditory feedback based on attention-related signal activity during game-like cognitive exercises. It is a non-clinical, non-diagnostic system; no scalp EEG was independently recorded in this study.

Neurofeedback Training Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 13 Years - 16 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Adolescent athletes actively engaged in competitive Olympic weightlifting training
• Minimum of \[X\] years of weightlifting training experience
• No diagnosed attention-related disorder
• Willingness and availability to complete the 24-week neurofeedback training protocol
• Written informed consent from participant and parent/legal guardian

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of a diagnosed neurological or psychiatric condition
• Current use of medication affecting attention or cognitive function
• Injury preventing participation in regular weightlifting training
• Incomplete participation in the neurofeedback training sessions or outcome assessments

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hasan Erdem Mumcu: lead

Study Sites (1)

Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University Faculty of Sport Science

Center, Eyalet/Yerleşke, 60100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Officials

• Hasan E Mumcu, Dr

  Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Model Details: Study assigns participants to two different interventions according to a structured protocol: Experimental group: Participants received Play Attention neurofeedback-based attention training (40 sessions, approximately 30-40 minutes each, delivered over 24 weeks) in addition to their routine Olympic weightlifting training program. Control group: Participants continued their routine Olympic weightlifting training only, without any neurofeedback-based attention training component. Both groups were assessed at three time points - baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks - using the same outcome measures (the d2 Attention Test and weightlifting performance indicators), allowing comparison of longitudinal change between the group receiving the added cognitive-training intervention and the group receiving standard training alone.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 15, 2026
• First Posted: September 23, 2026
• Study Start: August 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: October 24, 2025
• Study Completion: January 16, 2026
• Last Updated: September 23, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP
• Time Frame: Data will be available beginning 12 months after publication of the primary manuscript, with no specified end date.
• Access Criteria: Data will be made available to researchers who provide a methodologically sound proposal for a specific analysis purpose. Requests should be directed to the corresponding author (Hasan Erdem Mumcu, hasanerdem.mumcu@gop.edu.tr) and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Access is contingent upon approval from the corresponding author and, where required, from the relevant institutional ethics committee, given that the study participants were minors. Approved requesters will be provided with a de-identified dataset, along with the study protocol and statistical analysis plan, for the sole purpose of achieving the aims outlined in their approved proposal. A signed data use agreement may be required prior to data transfer.

Locations

TU (1)