A baseline serves as the foundation for measuring progress in cognitive training. It’s not just about improving performance on individual tasks—this happens naturally with repetition. Instead, the goal is to evaluate multiple key metrics—reaction time, accuracy, and variation—to determine true adaptation.
If an athlete has adapted, meaning the Big 3 have improved significantly, it’s time to change the stimulus and introduce new challenges. This ensures continuous cognitive development rather than just getting better at a single task. The baseline isn’t about task mastery—it’s about measuring adaptation and knowing when to evolve the training strategy.
Why Is This Important?
1. Tracks Adaptation – Shows whether an athlete is improving, stagnating, or regressing.
2. Guides Decision-Making – Determines if the athlete is ready for the next challenge or needs adjustments.
3. Prevents Guesswork – Uses objective data rather than assumptions to tailor training.
4. Measures Training Effectiveness – Confirms whether the stimulus is driving real adaptation.
When the Big 3 Have Improved Significantly (Over 5%)
When Performance in the Big 3 Has Not Improved by 5% or Shows No Change