A Longitudinal Analysis of the Executive Functions in High-Level Soccer Players.

Beavan, A; Chin, V; Ryan, LM; Spielmann, J; Mayer, J; Skorski, S; Meyer, T; Fransen, J

A Longitudinal Analysis of the Executive Functions in High-Level Soccer Players.

Beavan, A Chin, V Ryan, LM Spielmann, J Mayer, J Skorski, S Meyer, T Fransen, J

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Publisher:: HUMAN KINETICS PUBL INC
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of sport & exercise psychology, 2020, 42, (5), pp. 1-9
Issue Date:: 2020-07-25

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Beavan, A
dc.contributor.author	Chin, V
dc.contributor.author	Ryan, LM
dc.contributor.author	Spielmann, J
dc.contributor.author	Mayer, J
dc.contributor.author	Skorski, S
dc.contributor.author	Meyer, T
dc.contributor.author	Fransen, J https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3355-1848
dc.date.accessioned	2021-03-15T02:54:24Z
dc.date.available	2020-04-07
dc.date.available	2021-03-15T02:54:24Z
dc.date.issued	2020-07-25
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of sport & exercise psychology, 2020, 42, (5), pp. 1-9
dc.identifier.issn	0895-2779
dc.identifier.issn	1543-2904
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/147143
dc.description.abstract	<h4>Introduction</h4>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.<h4>Methods</h4>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.<h4>Results</h4>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.<h4>Conclusion</h4>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.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	HUMAN KINETICS PUBL INC
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/CE140100049
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of sport & exercise psychology
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1123/jsep.2019-0312
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	11 Medical and Health Sciences, 13 Education, 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
dc.subject.classification	Sport Sciences
dc.title	A Longitudinal Analysis of the Executive Functions in High-Level Soccer Players.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	42
utslib.location.activity	United States
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences
utslib.for	13 Education
utslib.for	17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2021-03-15T02:54:19Z
pubs.issue	5
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	42
utslib.citation.issue	5

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.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/147143