Table 4.

Neurocognitive challenge examples.

Cognitive Challenge	Numeric Example	Alternative Example	Alternate Example
Interference	Instructor flashes odd # signal, but speaks an even # - before training athletes are told which to attend to for exercise selection or movement direction execution	Instructor flashes colored cards but speaks a different color than presented. Before training athletes are told which to attend to for the exercise selection or movement direction (Ex: deck of red and green flashcards, with red (right) and green (left), but instructor says random non-signal colors; Potential progression to: red (lunge) and green (squat) from instructor verbal cue and watch as flash cards cycle and when verbal cue and visual cue match execute a jump)	The instructor utilizes a deck of playing cards, and the athlete is to perform a specific task per suite or per color. (Ex: with hearts perform single leg squat (right), diamonds perform single leg squat (left), spades perform double leg squat, clubs perform double leg jump. Hand Signal: The instructor can point in various directions and the athlete responds with hopping in that direction. Potential progression to: whatever direction the instructor points, the athlete must hop in the opposite direction. Ex: the instructor points left; the athlete must hop right.
Dual task (cognitive-motor)	Counting\adding\multiplying	Memorizing color string of flash cards that cycle with exercise execution	Hand movements with verbal cuing: Example-the instructor will hold their hands up and the athletes are instructed to jump one direction if the right-hand drops, jump the opposite direction if the left hand drops. This could also progress to include a task based on the instructor calling out or holding up an even/odd number. (i.e R hand drop→ jump right; L hand drop→ jump left; even number→ jump forward; odd number→ jump backwards)
Dual task (motor-motor)	Lower extremity plyometrics while either:  1) holding sport instrument\ball, or  2) engaged in upper extremity task simultaneously
Working memory	Digit span	Word span	Task progression: Athlete must build on a series of tasks, or perform a series of tasks based on instruction. Example: provide instruction on a number of tasks in a row and the athlete must perform in this order (Ex: instruct the athlete in this sequence: squat, squat, hop left, jump back, squat, hop right; the athlete must complete that sequence in order)
Anticipation & Response inhibition	Go - No Go	Sudden signals to stop mid set or rep of exercise
Spatial tracking	Ball\person\object		Ball toss or sport-specific ball movement. Example: single leg hop R with L foot volley for soccer player; Single leg hop with chest pass for basketball player