Can we measure perceptual-cognitive function during athletic movement? A framework for and reliability of a sports-related testing battery

OBJECTIVES: Perceptual-cognitive function (PCF) has been linked to performance and injury risk. However, to date, research used digitalized or pen-and-paper-based PCF tests without major motor components. This study provides a rationale and a testing battery for the measurement of PCF during sports-related movement. DESIGN: Test-Retest. SETTING: University. PARTICIPANTS: Thirteen healthy, active individuals (8 females, 27 +/- 4 years). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants twice (5-min interval) completed six motor-cognitive tasks using a sensor-based system with LED lights. Four tests focussed on simple movements and relatively isolated PCF (reaction, choice-reaction, memory span, stop-signal), two represented more multifaceted and complex tasks (reactive agility, run-decide). Test-retest reliability was determined with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: All tests, except for one sub-dimension of the stop-signal test (upper limb, error count), displayed at least sufficient or higher reproducibility (ICC>.5, p < .05): Test-retest reliability was moderate for one (stop-signal), moderate to high for three (reaction, choice-reaction, run-decide, memory span) and excellent for one (reactive agility) of the tasks. CONCLUSIONS: The presented tests display moderate-to-high reliability and can be used in clinical and scientific settings. Future research should elucidate its predictive value regarding performance and injury as well as its association with the results of conventional PCF tests not incorporating movement.