Write your awesome label here.
Science - our constant inspiration!
What scientific foundations does COGNIGOALS training actually build on? Who are the scientists we work with? And what are the results?
A long and enlightening collaboration
While setting new standards in cognitive training, Matthias Nowak has collaborated with different scientists to improve and evolve his methods. He first published the book "Kreativtraining im Fußball (Training Creativity in Football") with Swedish researcher Dr. Torbjörn Vestberg. He also works with Professor Thomas Schack and his assistant Ludwig Vogel from the University of Bielefeld, who are pioneers in a completely new field of study:
Neurocognitive psychology
One of the research fields of the scientists deals with motor actions and their automated planning, e.g. how the dependence on a dominant side can be overcome. But above all, however, they want to find out how the cognitive abilities of a player can be significantly improved. This is done through a variety of training building blocks that simultaneously address different areas of the brain.
“The brain is plastic!”
Matthias Nowak
Fundamental findings on two-footedness
Professor Thomas Schack and Ludwig Vogel of the University of Bielefeld have researched the various levels of the brain, particularly with regard to the topic of "movement" in their "Neurocognition and Movement" working group. They found, among other things, that sensory and mental levels interact.
Mental representations, for example, the idea of how to kick the ball with which foot, directly influence and are influenced by sensory and motor signals. For example, the decision to use the weaker foot less is influenced by the fact that it does not feel as good as using the stronger foot.
Executive functions make all the difference
Perceiving situations correctly and making the most innovative and best possible decisions as quickly as possible!
If a player has a mental representation of which side is stronger, their sensomotor perception of how that side feels will reinforce this and, for example, inhibit the use of the weaker foot. With new action plans, such as through targeted and systematic training, the new action can be chosen and performed without long adjustment.
But how can new patterns be incorporated to make a player two-footed, for example?
Dr. Torbjörn Vestberg, Nowak's co-author, already showed in 2014 that highly developed executive functions were a key factor in the success of players like Xavi and Iniesta.
Players need both motor intelligence to learn the new patterns and excellent executive functions to quickly select and use them on the field.
This is also an important part of what the COGNIGOALS Deep Learning exercises achieve in the brains of players through restructuring and reorganization.
Many players of different skill levels, including Matthias Nowak himself, have volunteered to participate in experiments to record data on the use of various brain areas in the execution of football movements and specific Deep Learning training. The journey continues!
Write your awesome label here.
What scientists have to say about COGNIGOALS
"The innovative COGNIGOALS approach significantly differs from the traditional movement coordination programs that have been used for years in the training of football players.
It leads to continuous and rapid training progression, achieved through an impressive package of innovative football-related exercises. The exercises are strategically and intelligently focused on the development and learning of cognitive-perceptual building blocks."
It leads to continuous and rapid training progression, achieved through an impressive package of innovative football-related exercises. The exercises are strategically and intelligently focused on the development and learning of cognitive-perceptual building blocks."
Prof. Thomas Schack & Ludwig Vogel
In summary
Modern neuroscientific research shows that the brain continues to develop throughout our entire lives.
With kind support of...
ProMent Center (a department of the Institute for Innovation Transfer at Bielefeld University GmbH)
Research Group "Neurocognition and Action - Biomechanics".
