The Effectiveness of Blazepod-Based Neurocognitive Training on Reaction Time and Agility in Young Competitive Athletes

Introduction: Reaction speed and cognitive-motor coordination are critical components of athletic performance, particularly in sports requiring rapid decision-making and stimulus-response adaptation. While BlazePod technology has gained popularity in applied settings, empirical validation in youth athletic populations remains limited. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a six-week BlazePod-based neurocognitive training program on reaction time, agility, and cognitive-motor performance in adolescent athletes. Methods: Thirty-five athletes (aged 15–19) were randomly assigned to experimental (n = 18) or control (n = 17) groups. The experimental group received additional BlazePod training (3 sessions/week, 15–20 minutes), while the control group continued standard sport-specific routines. All participants completed five tests at pre- and post-intervention: Simple Reaction Time, Choice Reaction Time, Agility T-Test, Go/No-Go, and Stroop Response Time. Results: Statistically significant improvements were observed in all variables within the experimental group (p < .001), with large effect sizes (Cohen’s d > 2.0). The control group showed smaller but significant gains. Gender-based analysis confirmed training effectiveness across both sexes. Conclusions: BlazePod-based training significantly enhances both motor and cognitive performance in youth athletes. The results support its integration into sport training to improve reactivity, executive function, and decision-making under pressure. Article history: Received 2025 August 21; Revised 2025 October 08; Accepted 2025 October 23;Available online 2025 November 20; Available print 2025 November 30