Soma: Training Modes Simplified

Go Beyond the Basics of Cognitive Training

At Soma, we go beyond the basics of cognitive training. Our training modes, developed in collaboration with top universities, are powerful engines for building mental resilience, measuring attentional capacity, applying time pressure, combining cognitive and physical loads, and much more.

Explore Soma’s modes and discover how you can push boundaries and redefine the limits of human performance.

Audiovisual Modes

Purpose

These modes provide real-time feedback to influence decision-making.

When to Use

Use when you want to provide feedback and influence decision-making.

Audiovisual Feedback Types

• Audio -:?Negative feedback for incorrect responses.
• Audio +:?Positive feedback for correct responses.
• Visual -:?Negative visual feedback for incorrect responses.
• Visual +:?Positive visual feedback for correct responses.
• Audio/Visual +/-:?Both positive and negative feedback for all responses.

EDM Mode

Purpose

Enhances error detection and monitors behavior after incorrect responses.

When to Use

Use to analyze and improve how users respond to errors.

Key Concepts

• EDM Reaction Time:?Measures how long it takes to correctly respond after an error, providing insights into decision-making.
• Strategic Error Correction:?If the EDM reaction time is longer than that of the primary task, it may indicate a deliberate, cautious approach to avoid repeating the same error.
• Progress Tracking:?As users improve in correcting mistakes, the gap between their normal reaction time and EDM reaction time should decrease, indicating faster recovery.

Analytics

Monitor both the primary task's reaction time and the EDM reaction time. A slower EDM reaction time compared to the primary task suggests that the user is taking more time after errors to avoid future mistakes. Conversely, a faster EDM reaction time suggests quick cognitive recovery and adaptability.

?? Neural mechanisms involved in error processing: A comparison of errors made with and without awareness

CSQ Mode

Purpose

Aims to enhance mental resilience by extending task duration after incorrect answers.

When to Use

Use to increase focus and decision-making accuracy through time penalties for mistakes.

Key Concepts

• Error Indication:?The timer bar turns red after a mistake, signaling an error.
• Time Penalty:?Each error adds 15 seconds to the task duration. Consecutive errors during the penalty phase add more time, enforcing increased focus and precision.

Analytics

Monitor the number of time penalties (CSQs) applied. Tracking these over time offers insights into the effectiveness of the mode in improving mental resilience.

DRT Mode

Purpose

Evaluates the cognitive effort and attentional resources a task demands.

When to Use

Use to assess the cognitive load of a task by comparing the primary task's reaction time and DRT reaction time.

Key Concepts

• Interpreting DRT Results:?Compare DRT reaction time to the primary task's reaction time. A slower DRT time suggests a high cognitive load, while a faster DRT time indicates a lower cognitive load.
• Attentional Resource Consumption:?Slower DRT reaction times compared to the primary task indicate that the task consumes more attentional resources.

Analytics

Monitor both the primary task's reaction time and the DRT reaction time to gauge the cognitive load and attentional resources required for the task.

?? Detection-Response Task

?? Effects of Cognitive Load on Response Time

?? A broader application of the detection response task

Time to Exhaustion (TTE) Mode

Purpose

Pushes individuals to their cognitive limits over extended periods, enhancing mental stamina and resilience.

When to Use

Use to train cognitive endurance by maintaining high performance under prolonged stress. The task continues until the individual exceeds a set threshold reaction time.

Key Concepts

• Initial Assessment:?Begins with a 3-minute test to establish baseline reaction time.
• Target & Threshold Reaction Time:?The target reaction time is determined by the initial assessment, with the threshold (the slowest acceptable response) set at 20% above this target. The task ends immediately if the threshold is exceeded.

Analytics

Monitor how long the individual maintains their reaction time within the target and threshold limits to gauge cognitive endurance.

VPF Mode

Purpose

Improves reaction time, concentration, and consistency through real-time feedback on stimulus variation.

When to Use

Ideal for individuals looking to enhance their response time and maintain consistent performance.

Key Concepts

• Objective:?Enhance reaction time, concentration, and consistency with real-time feedback.
• Target Audience:?Suitable for those aiming to improve response speed and consistency.
• Mechanics:?Encourages achieving a variation of -/+ 10% for each correct response.

Analytics

Track consistency and improvement in reaction time over time.

Adaptive Mode

Purpose

Adjusts the cognitive load based on a user's performance.

When to Use

Perfect for tasks that need to align with an individual's current cognitive capacity, ensuring an appropriate challenge level.

Key Concepts

• Objective:?Adjust the cognitive challenge according to a user's performance.
• Mechanics:?Continuously adjusts to maintain a balance between task difficulty and the individual's cognitive capacity.

HRZ Mode

Purpose

Ensures individuals stay within a specific heart rate zone during cognitive training.

When to Use

Use when it's important to maintain a specific heart rate during cognitive tasks.

Key Concepts

• Objective:?Ensure individuals remain within a designated heart rate zone during training.
• Mechanics:?If the heart rate deviates from the desired zone, the cognitive task is paused until the correct zone is reestablished.

Heart Rate Zones

• Zone 1:?Very light (50–60% of HRmax)
• Zone 2:?Light (60–70% of HRmax)
• Zone 3:?Moderate (70–80% of HRmax)
• Zone 4:?Hard (80–90% of HRmax)
• Zone 5:?Maximum (90–100% of HRmax)

CEM Mode

Purpose

Integrates heart rate into the cognitive task, combining physical exertion with cognitive effort.

When to Use

Use when you want to challenge both mental and physical capacities by requiring heart rate elevation to complete tasks.

Key Concepts

• Objective:?Require users to reach a target heart rate to answer cognitive tasks, blending physical and cognitive challenges.
• Mechanics:?Users must sustain the target heart rate for at least three seconds to respond. The task becomes increasingly demanding as it progresses, requiring more mental and physical effort.

AHR Mode

Purpose

Guides users through various heart rate zones during cognitive training.

When to Use

Use to train users by navigating them through different heart rate zones while maintaining cognitive performance.

Key Concepts

• Objective:?Guide users through different heart rate zones during cognitive tasks.
• Mechanics:?If the heart rate deviates from the desired zone, the cognitive task pauses until the correct zone is regained.

Heart Rate Zones

• Zone 1:?Very light (50–60% of HRmax)
• Zone 2:?Light (60–70% of HRmax)
• Zone 3:?Moderate (70–80% of HRmax)
• Zone 4:?Hard (80–90% of HRmax)
• Zone 5:?Maximum (90–100% of HRmax)

AHV Mode

Purpose

Tracks and adjusts cognitive load based on real-time heart rate variability (HRV).

When to Use

Use to dynamically modify cognitive challenges according to changes in HRV, enhancing training by aligning with physiological responses.

Key Concepts

• Objective:?Monitor and adapt to an individual's HRV in real time.
• Mechanics:?The cognitive challenge increases as HRV rises and decreases as HRV drops.

TSM Mode

Purpose

Amplifies an individual's cognitive capabilities by adding a secondary cognitive task to the primary exercise. This intensifies attentional focus and resilience to cognitive stress.

When to Use

Use to train cognitive agility and resilience by adding a secondary task that requires quick decision-making under cognitive stress.

Key Concepts

• Objective:?Boost cognitive abilities with a secondary cognitive task.
• Secondary Task Mechanics:Left Button:?White number between 0-5 or odd red number.Right Button:?White number between 6-9 or even red number.
• Purpose of Secondary Task:?Introduces a task-switching challenge to evaluate cognitive agility.

Analytics

Using Soma Analytics, compare the TSM reaction time to that of the primary task. A slower TSM reaction time indicates a higher cognitive load, suggesting the secondary task demands more cognitive effort. Conversely, a faster TSM reaction time suggests less cognitive load and higher efficiency in handling dual tasks. Monitor both reaction times to gain insights into how much attentional resources are consumed by the secondary task, with slower TSM times indicating increased cognitive load.

DPM Mode

Purpose

Monitor shifts in an individual's performance and provide feedback when cognitive performance declines.

When to Use

Use this mode to provide athletes with performance feedback, helping them maintain focus and push cognitive boundaries by identifying performance drops.

Key Concepts

• Objective:?Provide feedback when cognitive performance deteriorates.
• Mechanics:?The duration of the feedback is proportional to the severity of the performance drop.
• Feedback Visualization:?The longer the timer bar stays pink, the more significant the performance deviation.
• Purpose of Feedback:?Acts as both an informative tool and a motivational trigger, encouraging individuals to maintain sharp focus.

PCM Mode

Purpose

Pushes mental resilience to new heights by demanding an intense physical sprint after each mistake, blending cognitive challenge with physical endurance.

When to Use

Use this mode when you want to enforce focus and accuracy. After each error, the individual must perform a 5-second sprint at heart rate Zone 4. With each additional mistake, 5 more seconds are added, capping at 20 seconds. This escalating challenge enhances concentration, reduces errors, and elevates overall performance.

Key Concepts

• Objective:?Boost mental resilience by linking errors to physical exertion.
• Mechanics:?After an error, the heart rate must rise from Zone 2 to Zone 4 for 5 seconds. Each subsequent error adds 5 more seconds, up to 20 seconds.
• Purpose of Method:?Motivates users to concentrate, minimize errors, and improve overall performance.

Analytics

Track the number of PCMs over time to assess how effectively this intervention enhances cognitive focus and physical endurance.

TPM Mode

Purpose

Introduces time constraints to enhance cognitive performance under pressure.

When to Use

Use this mode to push users to respond quickly by imposing escalating time pressure as their reaction times improve.

Key Concepts

• Objective:?Apply time constraints to an individual's responses.
• Mechanics:?Time Pressure Mode tracks response times and increases pressure through a secondary timer. As reaction times improve, the time pressure intensifies, creating more cognitive stress and pushing for faster responses.

Analytics

Track the number of TPMs applied over time to evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention.

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Resources

• Get the Latest Research
• Comprehensive Guide to Cognitive & Physiological Metrics
• Full Guide To Cognitive Periodization
• How to Design A Cognitive Training Plan
• How to Monitor Mental Fatigue
• Soma: Training Modes Simplified