IntelliGym
IntelliGym is a video-game-like training program designed to improve cognitive performance of competitive athletes. Due to its content and delivery methodology, it is considered a serious game. However, unlike many serious games, the IntelliGym uses a low-fidelity training approach which is based on a 'cognitive simulation' patented technology. Current release is available for basketball players (dubbed The Basketball IntelliGym), hockey players (The Hockey IntelliGym, developed in conjunction with USA Hockey) and soccer players (dubbed The Football IntelliGym).
According to its creators, IntelliGym addresses a broad range of cognitive skills, such as perception, anticipation, decision making under pressure, spatial awareness and pattern recognition.
History
According to the official website, the IntelliGym technology is based on a concept originally developed for Israeli Air Force pilots. The research was conducted by Professor Daniel Gopher of the Technion, Israel, following a DARPA project reviewing the cognitive training system called the Space Fortress.Technology assessment in education and training, Volume 1 By Eva L. Baker, Harold F. O'Neil, pages 84-85 This study showed significant improvement in performance of trainees after using a specially designed computer game, compared to a control group.Gopher, D., Weil, M, and Bareket, T. (1994). Transfer of skill from a computer game trainer to flight. Human Factors, 36, 387-405. [https://archive.today/20120721044145/http://md1.csa.com/partners/viewrecord.php?requester=gs&collection=ENV&recid=3641616&q=&uid=789319901&&q=&uid=789319901&]
Following the introduction of the basketball application NCAA Division-I basketball teams (including Kentucky, Memphis, Florida and Kansas)Fernandez A., Goldberg E. (2009) The Sharp Brains Guide to Brain Fitness, p.109 as well as high school varsity teams adopted the IntelliGym as a training tool for their players. Coaches have reported significant improvement in performance of trainees, as shown by their statistical measures.{{Cite web | url=https://www.gizmag.com/basketball-intelligym-computer-game-improves-on-court-basketball-skill/9280/ |title = Basketball Intelligym computer game improves on-court basketball skills|date = 2008-05-06}}
=Scientific Background=
The IntelliGym is based on the notion of “Low Fidelity Simulation”: the game stimulates exactly the same cognitive skill-set that is required to play basketball, but without the visual resemblance. This way, the player is required to make meaningful choices with respect to making the right game decisions, but without the negative artifacts of a high-fidelity simulation found in research.POPCORN: A supervisory control simulation for workload and performance research (NASA-CP-2341 (1984) by S G Hart, V Battiste, P T Lester In Proceedings of the 20th Annual Conference on Manual Control
The Basketball IntelliGym
{{ Infobox video game
| title = The Basketball IntelliGym
| caption =
| developer = ACE Applied Cognitive Engineering Ltd.
| released = 2005
| genre = Serious game
| modes = Single-player
| platform = Windows
}}
=Gameplay=
The Basketball IntelliGym presents the player with situations where rapid decisions are needed to be made. The game takes place in a space-like environment, and includes different scenarios. In its main training settings, two teams of five spaceships on each team are competing. Using various weapons and ammunition types loaded on a ‘Super Cannon’, a player can either steal points from its rival team or prevent the opponent from gaining points.
The game consists of a given number of training sessions (19 sessions on the basic version and 34 on the premium release), each taking approximately 30 minutes to complete. The difficulty level is adjusted to the individual performance of the player.
=Availability=
The Basketball IntelliGym was originally provided on a CD, with 2 versions for Microsoft Windows. On 2009, a downloadable version has been released and replaced the CD. The program requires Internet connection for initial registration, but thereafter can be played offline.
=Reception=
The game has been reported by mainstream media sources such as ESPN,Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211208/wKVbxu-CY0s Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20120629004232/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKVbxu-CY0s Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite AV media| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKVbxu-CY0s| title = Memphis Tigers Revolution with IntelliGym | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} Fox News,{{cite AV media| url-status = live| archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211208/XG4r7nv_LxA| archive-date = 2021-12-08| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG4r7nv_LxA| title = Kentucky Wildcats Basketball | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} the LAB,Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211208/2yZExoA63fo Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20160409110829/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yZExoA63fo Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite AV media| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yZExoA63fo| title = The Basketball IntelliGym | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} primarily when leading NCAA Division-I teams have started to use it. The official site lists some 20 teams that are using the product but fails to provide the number of individual users.
The Hockey IntelliGym
{{ Infobox video game
| title = The Hockey IntelliGym
| caption =
| developer = ACE Applied Cognitive Engineering Ltd.
| released = 2010
| genre = Serious game
| modes = Single-player
}}
File:Hockey_IntelliGym_Screenshot.png
In June 2009, USA Hockey and Applied Cognitive Engineering Ltd. announced a collaborative development of a training system for ice hockey players.{{cite web|url=http://www.usahockey.com/Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=AU_01&id=249072|title=USA Hockey to form Intelligym|publisher=USA Hockey press release|accessdate=Dec 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220133150/http://www.usahockey.com/Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=AU_01&id=249072|archive-date=December 20, 2008|url-status=dead}} The research and development was funded by Bird Foundation (the research and development fund operated by the US and Israeli governments).{{cite web|url=http://www.birdf.com/_Uploads/263USA_H_Magazine_0109.pdf|title=Martel K. (2009). Releasing Your Inner Gretzky. |publisher=USA Hockey Magazine|accessdate=17 September 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910170026/http://www.birdf.com/_Uploads/263USA_H_Magazine_0109.pdf| archivedate=10 September 2011}}.
The program was released in 2010.
The Hockey IntelliGym is used extensively by players of the USA Under-17, Under-18 and Under-20 Ice Hockey national teams.{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/23/sports/hockey/asteroids-on-ice-video-game-helps-young-players-develop-skills.html?_r=1& |title = Asteroids on Ice: Video Game Helps Young Players Develop|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 2013-12-23|last1 = Klein|first1 = Jeff Z.}}
Research conducted at the USA Hockey National Team Development Program demonstrated that the IntelliGym reduced the number of on ice injuries.{{Cite news | url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/how-an-air-combat-simulator-is-honing-canadas-hockey-players/article16110163/ | title=How an air-combat simulator is honing Canada's hockey players}} The developers of the program claim that enhanced cognitive skills, and in particular spatial awareness, anticipation and working memory, allow players to avoid hazardous positions.{{Cite web | url=http://www.sporttechie.com/2014/03/18/intelligym-heating-up-the-game-and-putting-injuries-on-ice/ |title = Intelligym: Heating up the Game and Putting Injuries on Ice| date=16 May 2023 }}
In March 2013, the Hockey IntelliGym has been adopted by the players' development initiative of USA Hockey (known as the American Development Model, or the ADM).{{Cite web | url=http://www.usahockeymagazine.com/article/2013-03/hockey-intelligym-helps-power-peewee-hockey-sense |title = Hockey Intelligym Helps Power Peewee Hockey Sense | USA Hockey Magazine}}
In May 2014, the Mayo Clinic adopted the IntelliGym as a training tool to all hockey players attending Mayo's Sports Medical Center.{{Cite web | url=http://sharpbrains.com/blog/2014/05/14/mayo-clinic-sports-medicine-center-adopts-intelligym-cognitive-training/ | title=Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Center adopts Intelligym cognitive training| date=2014-05-14}}{{Cite web |url=https://sportsmedicine.mayoclinic.org/about-us/collaborations/hockey-intelligym.php |title=Hockey Intelligym - Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Center |access-date=2017-08-31 |archive-date=2017-08-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831181616/https://sportsmedicine.mayoclinic.org/about-us/collaborations/hockey-intelligym.php |url-status=dead }}
=Availability=
The Hockey IntelliGym is available as a downloadable program for personal computer platform (Windows-based or Mac). The program requires Internet connection for activation. The program is offered to both teams and individual players.
=Reception=
According to USA Hockey, the Hockey IntelliGym is widely used among ice-hockey players in the US.http://assets.ngin.com/attachments/document/0049/8271/Annual_Report_USAH_1213_WEB.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}} Various ice-hockey reporters published positive reviews about the program and its efficacy.{{Cite web|url=https://games.yahoo.com/blogs/plugged-in/asteroids-video-game-helps-train-young-hockey-players-203318547.html|title = Yahoo}}{{Cite web|url=http://blog.80percentmental.com/2014/01/from-fighter-pilots-to-hockey-players.html|title = From Fighter Pilots to Hockey Players, Cognitive Training Gets Results| date=3 January 2014 }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.pennymindingmom.com/2013/08/usa-hockey-the-hockey-intelligym-update-1-5-years-later/|title = USA Hockey – the Hockey IntelliGym: UPDATE 1.5 YEARS LATER|date = 23 August 2013}}
The Soccer IntelliGym
{{ Infobox video game
| title = The Soccer IntelliGym
| caption =
| developer = ACE Applied Cognitive Engineering Ltd.
| released = 2017
| genre = Serious game
| modes = Single-player
}}
File:Football_IntelliGym_Training_Environment.png
In May 2015, after receiving a grant from the EU Horizon 2020 program, Applied Cognitive Engineering Ltd. announced a 24-months project dedicated to the development of a cognitive training program for soccer players. The project was titled "BrainPEER" ("Brain Performance Enhancement Revolution") and involved 10 European football clubs and 2 research universities.[https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/196481_en.html BrainPEER], CORDIS.
Two efficacy studies were conducted to measure the impact of IntelliGym training on actual soccer performance. The studies were conducted at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (led by Prof. Geert Savelsbergh)Geert J. P. Savelsbergh. (2017). Football IntelliGym Efficacy Analysis: PSV Eindhoven and AZ Alkmaar Football Academies. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.268696 and the German Sport University Cologne (led by Prof. Daniel Memmert).Dr. Karsten Schul & Prof. Dr. Daniel Memmert. (2017). Evaluating Cognitive Training System for Football Players. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.835432 Both studies showed significant improvement of on-field performance of IntelliGym trainees compared to the control group.
=Availability=
The Soccer IntelliGym is available as a downloadable program for personal computer platform (Windows-based or Mac). The program requires Internet connection for activation. The program is offered to both teams and individual players.
=Reception=
The game has been reported by mainstream media sources such as the New York Times,[https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/05/sports/soccer/dutch-psv-eindhoven-cognitive.html To Put Ball in the Net, Dutch Clubs Shoot Space Aliens First], Rory Smith, The New York Times, March 5, 2017 Bild[https://www.bild.de/wa/ll/bild-de/unangemeldet-42925516.bild.html Fußball-Nachwuchs trainiert mit Kampfflieger-Software], Matthias Marburg, Bild, March 2, 2017 and Sports Illustrated.[https://www.si.com/edge/2017/08/01/intelligym-football-brain-training-video-game-soccer-players How Soccer Players Are Getting Smarter On the Field With Brain-Training Video Games], Tom Taylor, Sports Illustrated, August 1, 2017 According to the company's website, as of August 2017, there are over 36,000 users, and ten professional football clubs who use the program.[https://football.intelligym.com/ The Football IntelliGym]
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.intelligym.com/ IntelliGym official website]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Intelligym}}
Category:Brain training video games