Indices of cognitive function measured in rugby union players using a computer-based test battery

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Human Performance

Background:

• Reliable cognitive assessment is crucial for understanding athlete performance.
• Computer-based test batteries offer standardized methods for evaluating cognitive function in athletes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the intra- and inter-day reliability of a computer-based cognitive test battery in elite team-sport athletes.
• To determine the consistency of cognitive performance measures over short and extended periods.

Main Methods:

• Eighteen elite male rugby union players completed three testing sessions (T1, T2, T3).
• Sessions T1 and T2 were conducted on the same day; T3 was 24 hours later.
• The battery included tasks for executive function, psychomotor function, vigilance, and visual learning/memory.

Main Results:

• High reliability (ICCs 0.75–0.92) was found for the Detection Task, Identification Task, and One Card Learning Task for both intra- and inter-day measures.
• The Groton Maze Learning Task showed questionable reliability (ICCs 0.67 intra-day, 0.57 inter-day) with a high coefficient of variation (19.4%).

Conclusions:

• The Detection Task, Identification Task, and One Card Learning Task are reliable tools for assessing psychomotor function, vigilance, and visual learning/memory in rugby players.
• Results from the Groton Maze Learning Task should be interpreted with caution due to its questionable reliability.