What Is i-BrainTech Training?

i-BrainTech is a neurotraining system that uses an EEG headset, visualization & a digital sports environment. Athletes mentally rehearse an action while the system records brain activity and translates detected signals into feedback on a screen.

Instead of using a controller to move a digital player, the athlete uses guided mental imagery. The experience creates a feedback loop: visualize the action, observe the response & work on the mental task again.

That makes this different from simply closing your eyes and imagining a successful play. The technology gives the athlete feedback during the exercise, making mental rehearsal a more structured training activity.

What Happens During a Session?

1. Wear the EEG headset: Non-invasive sensors record electrical activity from the scalp.
2. Visualize the movement: Follow a sport-specific mental rehearsal task, such as imagining a soccer pass or shot.
3. Watch the feedback: The platform analyzes recorded activity & uses it to influence the digital training environment.
4. Repeat with purpose: Continue the task while using feedback to refine attention and visualization.

The headset records activity; it does not require an athlete to physically perform the action shown on screen. Specific tasks & session formats depend on the program being offered.

Why Mental Repetitions Matter

Before a foot strikes a ball or a hand releases a pass, the nervous system helps plan & coordinate the movement. Motor imagery—the mental rehearsal of an action—can engage some of the brain networks also involved in performing that action.

i-BrainTech builds on that connection by pairing visualization with neurofeedback. Its purpose is to give athletes another way to work on the mental components of a skill, including concentration & motor planning.

Mental practice complements physical practice; it does not replace it. An athlete still needs strength, conditioning, technique, coaching & live competition. Brain training adds a different form of preparation without the physical demands of another sprint, jump or kick.

Research into sport-specific neurofeedback is developing. Early studies and athlete experiences are promising, but they do not establish that every athlete will improve or that mental rehearsal is equivalent to physical practice.

From Professional Soccer to Willowbrook

i-BrainTech has been used in professional soccer environments across Serie A, MLS & LaLiga. Reported adopters include Juventus FC, Orlando City SC & Real Sociedad, bringing this approach into settings where athletes and staff continually evaluate new ways to prepare.

Juventus FC

Juventus has collaborated with i-BrainTech on neurotraining, and the company reports that Juventus recognized it as “Innovation of the Year” in 2023. The collaboration highlights professional interest in incorporating brain-based training alongside established physical preparation.

Jonathan Bornstein

Former Chicago Fire defender & U.S. international Jonathan Bornstein has publicly discussed his use of i-BrainTech. His interest included the ability to train without adding physical strain, and he introduced the technology to medical staff at Chicago Fire.

Pafos FC

Pafos FC has also partnered with i-BrainTech, adding another professional soccer environment exploring visualization & neurofeedback as part of athlete preparation.

At Sawmill, athletes do not need to travel to a professional club overseas to learn about this technology. Synapse SRT brings a dedicated neurotraining environment to our Willowbrook facility.

Inside the Synapse Brain Gym at Sawmill

The Synapse Brain Gym is a 1,200-square-foot neural training space inside Sawmill Sports Hub, with 20 Neurovisualization Feedback Training stations.

Housing this technology gives Sawmill a distinctive role: a facility where athletes can train physically while also exploring a structured approach to mental preparation. The Brain Gym sits within Synapse SRT’s broader sports science environment, alongside movement analysis, research & rehabilitation assessment.

For athletes and families in Willowbrook, DuPage County & nearby Chicagoland communities, it creates a local connection to technology being explored in professional sports.

Learn more about i-BrainTech at Synapse SRT and how it fits into the training environment at Sawmill.

Exploring Training During Recovery

When an injury limits physical participation, athletes may look for ways to stay engaged with their sport. Depending on the individual and their care plan, visualization can offer a way to rehearse selected movements without physically repeating them.

Synapse SRT’s interest in neurotraining includes exploring its role in rehabilitation & return-to-play preparation. That work should be understood as part of a broader process, not a shortcut around recovery.

Brain training does not diagnose an injury, replace rehabilitation or independently establish readiness to compete. Athletes recovering from injury should follow their treating clinician’s guidance when considering participation.

Participate in Ongoing Synapse SRT Studies

Synapse SRT has ongoing studies seeking participants. These opportunities allow interested athletes and families to learn more about research taking place inside Sawmill Sports Hub and ask whether a current study may be a suitable fit.

To inquire about study participation, contact Pat McCraney, Athlete Relationship Manager at Synapse SRT. Email pat.mccraney@synapsesrt.com for information about current opportunities, eligibility, scheduling & what participation involves.

Study requirements may differ from regular training sessions. Before participating, ask about the activities involved, time commitment, potential risks, consent process & how participant information will be handled.

Discover a Different Way to Practice

Not every useful repetition has to leave an athlete physically tired. At Sawmill, Synapse SRT is exploring how guided visualization & measurable feedback can add another dimension to preparation.

Visit Synapse SRT to learn more, explore the Synapse Brain Gym at Sawmill, or view the i-Brain session listing for booking information.

For photos & videos of the facility and technology, follow @sawmillsportshub on Instagram.

Train the body. Engage the mind. Explore what is possible at Sawmill.