Athletic Neuroscience: Reactive Agility in Sport

Q&A for Session #6

What are the next steps or future of technology in agility training?

• Reaction lights but more research is needed to figure out how they can be used and what they're beneficial for.
• Mobile applications, such as SwitchedOn, are an excellent way to use technology at a low cast and in a scaleable manner.
• Virtual reality is useful and similar to ecological validity but there are perceptual issues and the exact motor function is difficult to transfer.
• The higher the tech, the less research, and the higher the cost (nanotechnology, non-invasive brain stimulation, neurofeedback, and others).
  

Is the SwitchedOn app for teams (groups) or just an individual?

• It can be used for teams, groups, and individuals. It can be used in a variety of ways. Reach out to SwitchedOn for more information.

Is there a frequency or dosage for agility training? When is it too much?

• If you already have a framework for dosage, see how much of that existing agility training can be made more sport-specific. (80/20 or 60/40 - the higher number being more sport-specific).
• 2-3x/week is the general recommendation for neural motor stimulus for any human being.
• There is also injury risk that needs to be considered.
• Look at other things you can deprioritize in order to prioritize sport specific agility training.

Why do we still see so many coaches at the high school/middle school level sticking to traditional or old school SAQ training models even though the knowledge on neuroscience is out there?

• If something is out there, it doesn't mean it has reached people. Neuroscience education is not part of coaching, personal training, or strength and conditioning education.
• It can be seen as trendy and might take a while before it permeates general population knowledge.