Montreal-based cognitive training company NeuroTracker recently launched NuTrain, a consumer-friendly Internet version of its normally large and expensive multiple-object tracking system.
This new in-home version, like the larger-scale model, claims to help users develop and “boost” their awareness, decision-making and attention. The target consumers are athletes hoping to improve their performance much like Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan does when he uses NeuroTracker.
NuTrain users wear 3D glasses and attempt to track objects moving across a screen for a very short period of time — roughly eight seconds. Eight yellow spheres are displayed, two of which are subsequently highlighted on the screen. Users are then instructed to track the two balls that were temporarily lit up as all eight balls move sporadically around the screen.
But, there is a catch. Users are asked to focus directly on a small green dot in the center of the screen for the entire time, forcing them to use only their peripheral vision to track the target objects. When the balls stop dancing around, users are prompted to select the two balls they think were highlighted. The balls speed up or slow down depending on how the user performs.
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NuTrain’s claim is straightforward: by tracking the balls movement — even for just a few hours total — athletes train their brains to process information faster. The company’s multiple-object tracking training supposedly leads to improves visual tracking speed, increases mental processing time, enhances decision-making abilities and boosts attention — all of which leads to improving an athlete’s performance in his or her sport.
NeuroTracker backs up these claims with some scientific research and studies. Its website lists 12 studies that show its spherical-tracking cognitive training improves athlete performance. One of the studies, conducted by the Institute of Exercise Physiology and Wellness at the University of Central Florida, focused on the 2012-13 Orlando Magic. UCF used NeuroTracker to test Magic players before the season and compared the results with their actual NBA statistics when the season ended. The study found that Magic players with better NeuroTracker scores ended the season with higher steal and assist numbers. This study also found that the high cognitive-scoring players had fewer turnovers.
Many of the other studies NeuroTracker promotes show a similar correlation between the multiple-object tracking testing and performance in sport X. NeuroTracker also claims that aside from helping improve athletic performance, it can help the elderly or those with ADD and ADHD improve their attention and processing speed.
But some skeptics have emerged.
A Jan. 4 piece in the New York Times brings to light many NeuroTracker and NuTrain skeptics. Rob Gray, an associate professor at Arizona State University, says that since the testing removes everything relating to sports, it is hard to show real cause and effect. “One of the big problems I have is that NeuroTracker’s motion is completely random and unstructured,” Gray told the newspaper. “The whole point of watching a basketball scene if you’re a point guard is that it is structured. Picking up that structure that’s specific to your sport is highly important.”
Other cognitive training companies have come under fire recently as well. Lumosity, a popular brain training app, agreed last year to pay $2 million to settle deceptive advertising charges.
Mark Donohue, CogniSens’ strategic project manager, responded Thursday to the skeptics expressing their views in the New York Times piece that NeuroTracker.
“Well, that’s a very good point because there are quite a lot of technologies currently that don’t have the kind of scientific backing,” Donohue told Breakfast Television Montreal when asked about critics who might say it’s another gimmick. “Luckily, as I mentioned, we are based on the research of professor (Jocelyn) Faubert — over 20 years at the University of Montreal. And we have worked with research organizations around the world to demonstrate the efficacy of this technology. And so we have done our best, and continue to build on that base of research to show how effective this technology is for sports performance and many other fields.”
CogniSens president and CEO Jean Castonguay also commented the New York Times article with a blog post.
“Such skepticism could perhaps be the result of “brain training” companies making claims that are not sufficiently supported by scientific evidence,” he wrote.
“In contrast to these companies, we have always strived to validate the relevance of NeuroTracker training and expand the strength of our supporting science.”
Faubert and Castonguay co-founded CogniSens in 2009. Since then, the cognitive training system NeuroTracker has been used in the professional sports world, including by NFL, NBA and English Premier League clubs. Highly regarded organizations including Manchester United have used NeuroTracker.
Ryan, who is currently a contender for the MVP award, uses the technology, and swears by it. Could it help other NFL players as well?
The web-based platform runs on the cloud, allowing users to use NuTrain on any device. The only other thing that is needed is as pair of NuTrain 3D glasses, which anyone who purchases a package receives. “Scientific algorithms” are used to help tailor sessions to individuals needs. All user data is stored, which allows NuTrain users to track their progress. The new in-home Internet version also lets people compare themselves against professional athlete metrics.
NuTrain is currently selling three different packages — a $149 three-month starter package, a $229 year-long package and a $299 lifetime package. A 2D demo version is available as well.