Time to Exhaustion (TTE) mode is designed to significantly increase the cognitive challenge by pushing individuals to their cognitive limits over extended periods. This mode is ideal for training endurance in cognitive performance and enhancing the ability to maintain focus and accuracy under prolonged stress.
The Mechanics of TTE Mode:
Initial Assessment:
The TTE mode starts with a three-minute test to measure the individual's baseline reaction time. This initial phase is crucial for setting personalized performance benchmarks.
Setting the Target Reaction Time:
Based on the individual's peak performance during the initial test, a target reaction time is established. This target is the optimal reaction time that the individual should strive to maintain throughout the task.
Establishing the Threshold Reaction Time:
Alongside the target, an additional threshold reaction time is set, which is 20% longer than the target reaction time. This threshold represents the upper limit of acceptable performance.
Task Completion Criteria:
The task continues as long as the individual maintains their reaction time within the target and threshold limits. If the individual's reaction time exceeds the threshold, the task ends. This mechanism ensures that the task is sustained only while cognitive performance is within the set parameters.
Goal of TTE Mode:
The objective of Cognitive Time to Exhaustion mode is to challenge and train the individual's ability to sustain high cognitive performance over time. By creating a scenario where the individual must constantly operate near their cognitive peak, TTE mode effectively enhances mental stamina and resilience. This mode is particularly beneficial for scenarios where sustained attention and quick decision-making are crucial.
Example of Cognitive Time to Exhaustion (TTE) Mode:
Initial 3-Minute Test:
An individual completes a 3-minute reaction time test.
Average Reaction Time: 400 milliseconds.
Setting the Target and Threshold Reaction Times:
Target Reaction Time: Set at the average peak, 400 milliseconds.
Threshold Reaction Time: Set at 20% longer than the peak, which is 480 milliseconds (400 ms + 20%).
TTE Task Execution:
The individual starts the TTE task, aiming to maintain the reaction time at or below 400 milliseconds.
As the task progresses, the individual's reaction time fluctuates.
Task Progression:
For the first 10 minutes, the individual maintains a reaction time between 390 and 450 milliseconds, occasionally exceeding the target but staying within the threshold.
After 15 minutes, the individual's reaction time begins to average around 470 milliseconds, approaching the threshold limit.
Task Conclusion:
At the 18-minute mark, the individual's reaction time exceeds 480 milliseconds.
The task automatically ends as the reaction time surpasses the set threshold.
Interpretation:
In this example, the individual was able to sustain cognitive performance near the peak level for about 18 minutes before exceeding the threshold reaction time. This indicates the point of cognitive exhaustion. The TTE mode effectively pushed the individual to maintain high cognitive performance, providing a clear metric of their cognitive endurance limit.
Over time and with repeated training, the individual can aim to extend the duration for which they can maintain their reaction time within the target range, effectively increasing their cognitive stamina and resilience. This method is particularly useful for training in scenarios that require sustained concentration and rapid decision-making over long periods.
Feature/Aspect | Description |
Cognitive Challenge Enhancement | Increases cognitive challenge by pushing individuals to their cognitive limits for extended durations. |
Mechanics of TTE | The mode starts with a three-minute test to measure the individual's reaction time. A target reaction time, reflecting peak performance, is set. An additional threshold reaction time, which is 20% longer than the target, is also set. The task concludes if the individual surpasses this threshold. |
Soma Analytics | Monitor the length of time the user was able to complete the task before being terminated due to surpassing the threshold. |