Mental core: Strengthening self efficacy and emotional stability in elite youth athletes

The transition from youth academies to professional senior rosters represents a critical developmental juncture characterized by escalated competitive pressure and heightened performance anxiety. The MENTAL CORE study investigated the efficacy of a multimodal neurotechnological intervention designed to consolidate athletic self-efficacy and emotional stability in elite youth athletes (U18–U21). In a randomized controlled clinical trial (N=40), the experimental group (n=20) underwent an intensive eight-session protocol integrating EEG neurofeedback (targeting Brodmann Areas 10, 24, and 46), transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS), heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback, photobiomodulation, and binaural beat therapy. Results demonstrated a significant divergence between the experimental and control groups. The neuro-active cohort exhibited a substantial increase in perceived self-efficacy (GSE scores), a 60% reduction in performance anxiety (SAS/STAI-Y), and a 70% improvement in neuro-cardiac coherence. Most notably, the intervention achieved a 300% increase in the clinical resilience index compared to traditional psychological methods. Quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) confirmed stabilized cortical activation in regions governing self-image and decisional clarity. These findings suggest that athletic resilience and confidence are not merely innate traits but are trainable neurophysiological functions. The MENTAL CORE protocol establishes a clinical bridge for elite organizations, providing a proactive strategy for talent preservation and the prevention of psychological burnout during professional transitions.