How long should a cognitive training session last?
We have been incorporating cognitive training for many years, particularly in individual training but also in group and team training. For targeted cognitive individual and small group training, a session duration of approximately 45-60 minutes once or twice a week is recommended. During these sessions, the primary focus is on brain training following an individual warm-up program. Since the training does not include extended breaks, even highly skilled players experience mental fatigue, and extending the training duration would not provide additional benefits.
If more then one or two days per week are available for individual training, it's generally more beneficial to opt for shorter, daily sessions, like 15 to 20 minutes each day. This frequent exposure helps reinforce skills and concepts regularly, which is crucial for motor learning and cognitive development in sports. Daily practice can also keep engagement high and reduce fatigue compared to fewer, longer sessions. This approach allows to consistently practice and refine techniques, ensuring steady progress and retention of skills.
In team training, depending on the available time, it is advisable to allocate 15-20 minutes for cognitive training per session either during the warm-up or immediately afterward. Although this may initially feel unfamiliar to everyone, it often receives a positive response from teams, as players nowadays are enthusiastic about new, diverse, and innovative exercises. Moreover, many of them observe noticeable improvements in their performance after just a few weeks.
If more then one or two days per week are available for individual training, it's generally more beneficial to opt for shorter, daily sessions, like 15 to 20 minutes each day. This frequent exposure helps reinforce skills and concepts regularly, which is crucial for motor learning and cognitive development in sports. Daily practice can also keep engagement high and reduce fatigue compared to fewer, longer sessions. This approach allows to consistently practice and refine techniques, ensuring steady progress and retention of skills.
In team training, depending on the available time, it is advisable to allocate 15-20 minutes for cognitive training per session either during the warm-up or immediately afterward. Although this may initially feel unfamiliar to everyone, it often receives a positive response from teams, as players nowadays are enthusiastic about new, diverse, and innovative exercises. Moreover, many of them observe noticeable improvements in their performance after just a few weeks.
Updated on: 04/24/2024
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