Effects of Fitlight training on cognitive-motor performance in élite judo athletes
M. Campanella,
L. Cardinali,
D. Ferrari,
S. Migliaccio,
F. Silvestri,
L. Falcioni,
V. Bimonte,
D. Curzi,
M. Bertollo,
L. Bovolon,
M.C. Gallotta,
L. Guidetti,
C. Baldari,
V. Bonavolontà
Affiliations
M. Campanella
Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus University, Novedrate, Italy
L. Cardinali
Bone Metabolic Diseases Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine, University Sapienza of Rome, Rome, Italy
D. Ferrari
Department of Human Sciences, LinkCampus University, Rome, Italy
S. Migliaccio
Department of Experimental Medicine, University Sapienza of Rome, Rome, Italy; Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University Foro Italico, 00135, Rome, Italy
F. Silvestri
Niccolò Cusano University, Rome, Italy
L. Falcioni
Department of Health and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, United States
V. Bimonte
Department of Experimental Medicine, University Sapienza of Rome, Rome, Italy
D. Curzi
Niccolò Cusano University, Rome, Italy
M. Bertollo
BIND-Behavioral Imaging and Neural Dynamics Center, Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University G. d’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy; Corresponding author.
L. Bovolon
Department of Psychological, Humanistic and Territorial Sciences, University G. d’Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
M.C. Gallotta
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “Vittorio Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
L. Guidetti
Niccolò Cusano University, Rome, Italy
C. Baldari
Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus University, Novedrate, Italy
V. Bonavolontà
Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
Aims: The aims of this study were to verify if a 5-week cognitive-motor training (CMT) using FitlightsTM induced changes in young adult judo athletes compared to a non-intervention group. Specifically, it was verified if CMT influenced executive functions (EFs), physical fitness and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. Additionally, athletes’ competitive results were compared between groups. Method: Twenty-seven athletes (14 males and 13 females; age = 19.5 ± 2.0 years) were assigned to the Fitlight (FG) and control (CG) groups which performed 5 weeks of CMT, respectively, including 25 min per day of Fitlight training or traditional judo practice. All participants performed cognitive (flanker task and forward/backward digit span) and fitness tests (counter movement jump, handgrip test, dynamic and isometric chin up). In addition, BDNF was collected by saliva sampling and competitive results after the intervention period were considered. Results: RM-ANOVA showed significant differences in FG for the accuracy of flanker (p = 0.028) and backward digit span (p 0.05). Conclusion: A 5-week judo-specific CMT improved EFs and motor performance in élite judo athletes. It seems that CMT with Fitlight™ could be considered an additional support to coaches during the training period.
