Author(s): YUQING, H., LIUWEI, Z., WENX, G., TIANL, W., Institution: 北京体育大学, Country: CHINA, Abstract-ID: 2300

INTRODUCTION:
Cognitive–motor training on SpeedCourt integrates high-speed multidirectional movement with concurrent cognitive demands. However, direct within-subject evidence comparing how distinct cognitive domains shape cognitive–motor performance in youth under whole-court conditions remains limited. We compared three classic high cognitive–motor tasks—Ball Memory (visuospatial pattern memory), Stroop Test (inhibition and rule-switching), and Raab Memory (digit-sequence memory)—to quantify task-specific differences in speed and error-related outcomes.
METHODS:
Longitudinal training records were analyzed from physically trained youth repeatedly completing the three tasks across multiple time points. Analyses focused on participants aged 8–14 years who completed all three tasks (n=15; 11.8±1.7 years; repeated observations per task). Outcomes included speed (m·s⁻¹), total and valid stepping rates (steps·s⁻¹), valid-step proportion, and error proportion. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) clustered by participant and adjusted for age and sex were used: Gaussian GEE for continuous outcomes; binomial GEE for proportion outcomes (weighted by total steps).
RESULTS:
Using Ball Memory as the reference (GEE-adjusted), Stroop Test showed significantly lower speed (β = −0.172 m·s⁻¹, 95%CI −0.274 to −0.070; p=0.0009) and lower error proportion (OR = 0.46, 95%CI 0.29 to 0.74; p=0.001), suggesting a “slower-but-more-stable” control strategy under inhibition/rule-switching demands. Raab Memory showed no significant speed difference vs. Ball (β = −0.013 m·s⁻¹; p=0.812) but a lower error proportion (OR = 0.59, 95%CI 0.41 to 0.84; p=0.004) and higher stepping efficiency (total stepping rate β = +0.067 steps·s⁻¹; p<1×10⁻⁹).
CONCLUSION:
Whole-court SpeedCourt metrics differentiate task-specific cognitive–motor profiles in youth: inhibition/rule-switching manifests as “slower output with improved stability,” whereas digit-sequence memory manifests as “higher efficiency with fewer errors.” These profiles may support monitoring and prescription of youth cognitive–motor training and inform task-load–based session design.