Title | A Longitudinal Analysis of the Executive Functions in High-Level Soccer Players |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2020 |
Authors | Beavan A, Chin V, Ryan LM, Spielmann J, Mayer J, Skorski S, Meyer T, Fransen J |
Journal | J Sport Exerc Psychol |
Pagination | 1-9 |
Date Published | 07/2020 |
Abstract | Introduction: Assessments of executive functions (EFs) with varying levels of perceptual information or action fidelity are common talent-diagnostic tools in soccer, yet their validity still has to be established. Therefore, a longitudinal development of EFs in high-level players to understand their relationship with increased exposure to training is required. Methods: A total of 304 high-performing male youth soccer players (10-21 years old) in Germany were assessed across three seasons on various sport-specific and non-sport-specific cognitive functioning assessments. Results: The posterior means (90% highest posterior density) of random slopes indicated that both abilities predominantly developed between 10 and 15 years of age. A plateau was apparent for domain-specific abilities during adolescence, whereas domain-generic abilities improved into young adulthood. Conclusion: The developmental trajectories of soccer players' EFs follow the general populations' despite long-term exposure to soccer-specific training and game play. This brings into question the relationship between high-level experience and EFs and renders including EFs in talent identification questionable. |
A Longitudinal Analysis of the Executive Functions in High-Level Soccer Players
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