Winter 2024 - 22

BRAIN-BODY
CONNECTION
Dual-task neuro-cognitive training prepares tactical
athletes for every moment
By Wesley Sykes, managing editor
D
ual-task neuro-cognitive training is a
specialized approach that integrates both
physical and cognitive tasks simultaneously
during training sessions. This method aims to
enhance the coordination between the brain
and the body, fostering a more efficient and
effective response to complex situations.
For tactical athletes, this training becomes
particularly crucial due to the demanding nature
of their tasks.
The training typically involves combining
physical exercises with cognitive challenges, such
as decision-making, problem-solving, or sensory
perception tasks. This combination forces athletes
to engage in mental processes while executing
physical movements, replicating the cognitive
demands of real-world tactical scenarios.
Tactical Training & Conditioning spoke with
Tom West, vice president of sales at SMARTfit,
to discuss dual-task training and how SMARTfit
takes advantage of that type of training to help,
among others, tactical athletes.
22 | Tactical Training & Conditioning | Winter 2024
Below is an excerpt from the conversation
with Tom, with the full conversation in the
adjoining video.
On how SMARTfit can be tailored to the
tactical population...
West: To start, studies have shown that
dual-tasking-especially if it involves executive
function, in other words, the mental processes
that enable us to plan, focus attention, control
inhibitions, and make decisions-is effective at
transferring those capabilities, even if the training
activity is not specifically related to the given task.
Back to your point, as you go through these
assessments, it doesn't necessarily have to be
related to a specific task. The brain takes care
of that and transfers it to that capability. The
specific dual-task cost assessments that we,
at SMARTfit, do today are based on standard
physical therapy tests-sit-to-stand, timed upand-go,
and four-stage balance tests. Our clinical
team and software engineers then add cognitive
tests to those. When you do them together,
http://www.smartfitinc.com
Winter 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Winter 2024
