Acute Effects of Neuroathletic Training-Integrated Resistance Training in Collegiate Athletes

This study investigated the acute and short-term effects of neuroathletic training (NAT)-integrated resistance training compared with conventional resistance training on physical and neuromuscular performance in collegiate athletes. Fifty-eight collegiate athletes completed two experimental resistance training sessions separated by one week. The conventional resistance training condition was performed first, followed one week later by a NAT-integrated resistance training condition. Both sessions included the same lower-extremity resistance exercises, training volume, intensity, exercise order, and rest intervals. During the NAT-integrated condition, visual, vestibular, gaze-stabilization, and proprioceptive drills were incorporated before selected resistance sets and during rest intervals. Sprint acceleration, bilateral and unilateral jump performance, eccentric hamstring strength, bilateral hamstring maximum difference, and sit-and-reach flexibility were assessed before training, immediately after training, 15 minutes after training, and 30 minutes after training.

Inclusion Criteria: * Were collegiate athletes participating in organized sport training. * Had participated in regular sport-specific training for at least one year. * Had previous experience with lower-extremity resistance training. * Had previous experience with the exercises used in the study, including leg press, Romanian deadlift, leg extension, seated leg curl, dumbbell step-up, and Copenhagen exercise. * Were familiar with maximal or near-maximal sprinting, jumping, and lower-limb strength testing. * Were able to complete 5-meter sprint testing, bilateral and unilateral jump testing, Nordic hamstring testing, sit-and-reach flexibility testing, and the resistance training protocols. * Were able to perform maximal or near-maximal lower-limb tasks without pain or movement restriction. * Agreed to attend both experimental sessions and all measurement time points. Exclusion Criteria: * Had an acute lower-extremity musculoskeletal injury during the previous three months. * Had a hamstring strain, quadriceps strain, groin injury, ankle sprain, knee injury, hip injury, or low back pain limiting sport participation during the previous three months. * Had undergone lower-extremity surgery during the previous 12 months. * Experienced current pain during sprinting, jumping, Nordic hamstring testing, flexibility testing, or resistance exercise. * Had a neurological disorder. * Had diagnosed vestibular dysfunction. * Had recurrent vertigo or unexplained dizziness. * Had severe motion sensitivity. * Had a balance disturbance. * Had uncorrected visual impairment. * Had diplopia or severe visual tracking difficulties. * Had any condition preventing safe completion of eye-occlusion or gaze-stabilization exercises. * Had experienced concussion within the previous six months. * Had persistent post-concussion symptoms. * Had cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, or systemic disease limiting high-intensity exercise. * Used medication known to influence balance, alertness, reaction time, exercise tolerance, or neuromuscular performance. * Failed to comply with pre-test instructions. * Failed to attend both experimental sessions. * Had incomplete data at any measurement time point.