Neuromuscular Cognitive Training (I-THINC)

This project will utilize a quasi-experimental, multiple baseline pretest-posttest design where participants will complete postural stability assessments, physical performance assessments, and questionnaires to evaluate perceptions toward injury prevention before and after completing a 6-week neuromuscular-cognitive prevention program.

The I-THINC program will address aspects of cognition (i.e., reaction time/processing speed, working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, attention, and dual-tasking) while completing common movement patterns utilized in tennis (i.e., lateral shuffle, rapid acceleration/deceleration, and postural stability). The proposed program will take place in the participants training facility. The program will be implemented twice per week for six weeks (12 sessions) with each session lasting 20 minutes. To add variety, there will be two complementary programs (A and B) comprising of four exercises increasing in complexity every two weeks. Each week participants will complete Program A during the first session and Program B during the second session.Exercises will progressively challenge cognitive and physical demand. Exercises were designed to address the most common injuries in tennis.

Improved Training Happens with Integrated Neuromuscular and Cognitive Challenge (I-THINC) is an injury prevention program. It will be used to integrate cognitive tasks with traditional sports injury prevention approaches that focus on balance, agility, and neuromuscular control.

Dual task static postural stability will be assessed with an Accusway Plus force plate while completeing an upper extremity reaction time on the Dynavision D2.

Dynamic postural control will be assessed with the single leg hop. An additional cognitive task - responding to LED color cues - will be added.

Lower extremity reaction time will be assessed with the lower extremity reaction test, deactivating sensors as quickly as possible with their foot.

Health Belief Model Scale (HBMS) is used to assess behavioral determinants of exercise related injury prevention programs and is comprised of six subscales: susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy. Participants rate how strongly they agree or disagree with the statements on a Likert scale ranging from 3 to -3, with a 3 indicating strongly agree and -3 indicating strongly disagree. Positive responses indicate a positive perception towards injury prevention programs, except the barrier subscale where positive responses indicate a negative perception towards injury prevention programs.

The participant engagement survey will contain Likert Scale (1-5) questions to provide a quantitative analysis of satisfaction with the program. A 1 indicates strongly disagree and a 5 indicates strongly agree. The range is 7-35, and higher scores indicate increased engagement.

Inclusion Criteria: healthy adults from the University of Kentucky varsity tennis programs Exclusion Criteria: not medically cleared for participation