Cognitive-Motor Training With Unspecific Stimuli Impairs Jump Performance in Volleyball Players

Abstract

New training methodologies for team sports emphasize the concurrent development of cognitive and neuromuscular abilities to enhance motor execution and decision-making. However, research on performing high-intensity motor-actions with unspecific visual stimuli for neuromuscular optimization remains limited. This study evaluated the effects of four unspecific perceptual-cognitive dual-tasks on countermovement jump (CMJ) performance—used as an indicator of forcé application ability—in federated volleyball players (n = 11) and examined how these effects evolved over five sessions. Results showed a significant reduction in jump height across all conditions, with the largest effect in the divided-attention simple reaction-time task (JD-A/SRT, p < .001). The reactive strength index was higher in the simple reaction-time task (JSRT) and JD-A/SRT (p = .02 and p < .001). These results suggest that cognitive tasks affect the ability to apply force and the movement's biomechanics, a key factor to consider for strength andneuromuscular training. Reaction time showed notable improvements over the sessions in the complex-elective reaction-time task (JCERT, d = 0.64), the elective reaction-time task (JERT, d = 0.59), and the divided attention task (JD-A/SRT, d = 0.48). These findings highlight the need to investigate sport-specific perceptual-cognitive demands to integrate them effectively into training programs, thereby minimizing interference and maximizing the transfer to real-world sports contexts.