Belling, A. (Anders) (2015) Executive function and decision-making in academy soccer players aged 12-17. thesis, Human Movement Sciences.
Full text available on request.Abstract
Introduction: In soccer, players are continuously required to make decisions, i.e. about where to run and who to pass to. In order to determine what is the best option available a player uses cognitive functions to process the playing field. Aim: This study aims to explore if higher level cognitive functions (i.e. the executive functions inhibition, cognitive flexibility, and working memory) can differentiate between levels of decision making in academy soccer players of different age categories. Method: In total, 69 academy soccer players (mean age 15.4, SD = 1.2) from U-14, U-15, U-16, and U-17 teams performed executive function tests measuring inhibition (Golden Stroop test), cognitive flexibility (Trail Making Test), and the combination of the 3 executive functions (Design Fluency). Furthermore, based on observation in training and competition by experts, players were assigned a decision-making rating (1-10) and grouped in high-, mid-, and low scoring groups. One-way Anovas were performed to check if executive functions could differentiate between the teams, thereafter to check if executive functions could differentiate between the decision-making groups within their own teams. Results: Differences were found between U-15 and U-17 team on the complex executive functions with U-17 (mean = 11.1, SD=3.6) outscoring U-15 (mean = 8.1, SD = 3.7, p = .041). Inhibition differed between decision making groups of the U17 team, with high group (mean = 73.3, SD = 10.7) scoring best and low group (mean = 58.6, SD = 10.1) lowest (p = .035). Conclusion: In conclusion the U-17 team performed better in the complex executive functions than the U-15 and inhibition seemed to play a significant role for decision-making level within the U-17. Keywords: Talent; Sport; executive function; decision-making; adolescence.
| Item Type: | Thesis (UNSPECIFIED) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Elferink-Gemser, dr. M.T. |
| Faculty: | Medical Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 08 Apr 2022 11:21 |
| Last Modified: | 08 Apr 2022 11:21 |
| URI: | https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3066 |
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